Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Sports and Recreation Commission have finally acted on the long-drawn governance crisis rocking the Zimbabwe Aquatic Union and have suspended two senior officials.
Zimbabwe Aquatic Union president Onismo Nhondova and Zimbabwe Swimming chairperson Zanele Nkomazana were on Wednesday handed five-year bans from administering the sport.
The pair was found guilty of fuelling “sustained instability” deemed too detrimental to the growth of the sport and impacting negatively on athletes and stakeholders”.
The SRC wielded their axe following months of turmoil, that had seen some parallel structures, dual communication, and leadership conflicts being the order of the day at the union.
The country’s sport regulatory body have lately taken a tough stance on governance matters, having also recently intervened to restore order at the Zimbabwe Rugby Union.
They believe that the move they have taken will restore stability and integrity in Zimbabwean aquatic sports.
Acting Sports Commission director-general Peter Mudzimiri announced the duo of Nhondova and Nkomazana’s suspensions in a statement yesterday.
Mudzimiri said the suspensions are with immediate effect.
“The Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) wishes to inform stakeholders that Mr Onismo Nhondova and Ms Zanele Nkomazana, both officials of Zimbabwe Aquatics, have been suspended from all forms of aquatic sport administration and activities across all aquatic disciplines, with immediate effect, for a period of five (5) years.
“This decision has been taken in the national interest and in accordance with Section 30 of the Sports and Recreation Commission Act (Chapter 25:15),” Mudzimiri said.
“The suspension follows a period of sustained instability within Zimbabwe Aquatics, particularly in the swimming discipline, which has had a detrimental impact on athletes and key stakeholders.
“The SRC remain committed to restoring stability, integrity, and proper governance within the sport. Stakeholders will be kept informed of any further developments.”
Although the acting Sports Commission director did not delve into the finer details of what drove the regulatory body into taking the drastic action, sources close to the goings-on at ZAU, revealed that seemingly endless differences between Nhondova and Nkomazana had been deemed to be too toxic and had resulted in the instability within swimming.
It also emerged that the duo had been directed to resolve their differences late last year but to no avail.
This drew the ire of the commission, and yesterday Nhondova and Nkomazana were dealt a hammer blow to their administrative careers.
The sources also added that among the key issues which had led to the officials’ suspensions were:
The emergence of parallel structures running Zimbabwe Swimming and Bulawayo Amateur Swimming Association (BASA)
Dual and parallel communication on swimming matters thereby bringing the sport into disrepute
Advertisements of parallel swimming championships by different bodies claiming control over Zimbabwe Swimming
General despondency, confusion, and frustrations among aquatic stakeholders
Multiple complaints by aquatic sport stakeholders to various government departments and officials
Leadership deficiency through failure to bring stability within the sport code to date.”
Resultantly, there was now stakeholder frustration and complaints of leadership deficiencies, which were pegging back a thriving sport which has regularly provided podium finishers for Zimbabwe at international competitions.
The Sports Commission will now be hoping that with some stability, swimmers, coaches and stakeholders can focus on growing the sport.
