daniel chigunwe
Zimpapers Sport
SPORTS stakeholders have welcomed the reappointment of Kirsty Coventry as Minister of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture pointing out that it is key for continuity.
The swimming icon was first appointed Minister in 2018, heading the Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Ministry.
Zimbabwe Olympic Committee are hopeful Minister Coventry will be key as they prepare for the next Olympic games set for next year.
“On behalf of the entire Zimbabwe Olympic Committee, I wish to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Dr Coventry on her reappointment as Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture.
“We look forward to continuing our collaboration with the Honourable Minister and her team to advance the Olympic movement, foster sports excellence, and promote the values of unity, friendship, and fair play that lie at the core of the Olympics. We are even more strengthened to have her leading this important Ministry as we look towards Paris 2024.
“As ZOC we believe the streamlining of the Ministry will ensure that sport is given its rightful place as a profitable industry and we are grateful for this timely recognition,” said ZOC chief executive, Marlene Gadzirayi.
Premier Soccer League chairman Farai Jere said with her reappointment, Coventry will be able to complete the reforms she started in football.
“We are very excited with the reappointment of Dr Kirsty Coventry to the post of Ministry of Sports.
“If you look at it, Dr Coventry has already gone through what is called the learning curve. She really understands what is needed in various sports, soccer included. So that experience, if she was reappointed to another Ministry, it was going to be a waste of a five-year experience.
“So that is going to help football at large. Football is not easy and we now have got comfort with the experience which she has acquired over the last five years. So we are very excited, and as the PSL chairman I would like to wish her well. I would like to congratulate Dr Kirsty Coventry.
“In football there are some certain reforms which she was trying to push. So it’s very good that she is going to complete what she has started, what she really wants to see football look like, what she expected from football,” Jere said.
Sports and Recreation Commission board chairman Gerald Mlotshwa said they are looking forward to continue working with the Minister.
“I am extremely pleased that the Minister has been reappointed by His Excellency.
“The decision to realign her portfolio so that it’s largely focused on sports is also a very good one. On behalf of the SRC I wish to congratulate her and assure her that our excellent working relationship will continue as we strive to deliver on our mandate,” said Mlotshwa.
Sports Commission director general, Eltah Nengomasha said Coventry’s reappointment paves way for continuity.
“This is a pleasing development as we look forward to fully implement the initiatives we had started with the Honourable Minister for the sector to improve participation in sport and recreation activities by Zimbabweans and for Zimbabwe to improve its sports performance from a ranking and podium achievement perspective,” said Nengomasha.
Zimbabwe National Karate Federations president Joe Rugwete noted that sport is a long-term game and the return of Coventry is a positive move.
“We (Zimbabwe National Karate Federation) are speaking from our own point of view, we are happy because it is during her tenure that we were supported as we formed our association to comply with the World Karate Federation statutes.
“This is something that was very difficult to achieve previously but during Kirsty’s tenure we managed to explain our case and we managed to get registered, it was previously difficult.
“Secondly during her tenure we were able to host Southern Africa in Regional games, and we received great support from government. This is the time we have benefited most from government, so we are happy with the environment she has created for us.
“So we are really happy, we say congratulations to our Minister. Remember sport it’s a long-term game, it’s not a short-term game,” said Rugwete.
Hockey Association of Zimbabwe secretary general Sarah Bennett said the swimming icon’s experience in sport at an international level is key for the sector.
“The Hon. Dr Kirsty Coventry’s reappointment as Minister of Sport will be of great importance. Her background in sport at an international level means that the Hon. Dr fully understands the sacrifices and commitment needed in order to succeed. She will be conversant with the measures that need to be put in place locally in sport for this to happen.
“On behalf of the Hockey Association of Zimbabwe we would like to congratulate the Minister on her reappointment.”
National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe president Tendayi Tagara also welcomed the reappointment of Coventry.
“I am happy with the re-appointment of Minister for the sake of continuity. She now knows the playing field.
“She knows what is to prepare an athlete and that associations must be funded from the bottom…She knows all that because she has been there from junior, youth, college, elite level.
“Now that she has been reappointed I believe and pray that this should be the best for sport because she knows the challenges sport is facing,” said Tagara.
Martial artist Wilfred Mashaya he is looking forward to the Minister promoting marginalised sport codes.
“I believe with her expertise she will also try to promote marginalised sports in our country so that every talented athlete receives equal opportunity no matter from which sporting discipline.
“As a person who has seen it all we hope she will promote athletes and sports for the greater visibility of our sports both locally and on the international stage,” said Mashaya.
Online Reporter