Sundaymail EditorRicky Zililo in Gweru
TENDAI Tagara retained the Athletics Zimbabwe (AZ) president’s position for a third term after being unopposed at an elective general meeting here yesterday.
Just like Tagara, Matabeleland North’s Enock Ngwenya got into the treasurer’s post uncontested and takes over from the long-serving Salatial Zangure.
While Tagara and Ngwenya eased into their positions, elections were tightly contested for the positions of first and second vice presidents as well as that of the secretary-general.
Another veteran administrator, Enias Nhoro, lost the first vice president’s post to Masvingo’s Titus Madzingo, who polled 11 votes while the former got nine.
Bulawayo’s Christine Ncube failed to retain her second vice president’s position that was contested by three candidates.
Siphathisiwe Machaya of Mashonaland West is the association’s second vice president after amassing 10 votes, two more than Pretty Maware.
Cynthia Phiri of the Midlands retained the secretary-general’s post after edging Maware 12-11.
An elated Tagara said after the elections that his board will strive to push for podium athletes’ development and is confident that the newly-elected members will form a formidable team.
“There’s no time to sit, people have to work and pay back the confidence bestowed on them by the congress.
“I’m happy with how elections went, look, I told delegates in my speech that no one is going to impose on them who to vote for and they took a decision to elect people they see fit for office.
“These were well contested elections,” said Tagara.
One of domestic athletics’ “elder statesmen”, Nhoro, accepted defeat and wished the newly-elected officials the best.
“Thank you for the support you gave me during my tenure.
“We had a number of development programmes that we ran together and were a success because of everyone’s support.
“As I leave office, my wish is for the association to go strong and prosper under the leadership that has been elected.
“Let’s continue working as a team to achieve desired results,” Nhoro said.
Zangure, who held the treasurer’s position for almost two decades, said:
“Finally I get to rest.
“I served the association with honour and dignity.
“I’ve no doubt that those coming in will take the association to greater heights. “I’ll continue availing myself for consultancy, should my advice be needed.”
The new board will be in office until 2024.
Online Reporter