The Storm is Over!

Brighton Zhawi

FOR Zimbabwe Cricket chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani, it is time to have a good sleep… after all the storm is over.

What pleases him is that the country’s teenage cricketers can now showcase their talent at the global showpiece next year.

“It’s a good feeling and it feels good to be a Zimbabwean when you are doing things right.

“My biggest worry was losing out on the U19 World Cup in South Africa.

“I couldn’t imagine it.

“You cannot be Under 19 twice, it’s a once in a lifetime experience and opportunity that we should guard jealously and I am very happy that they are in the fold and they will be going to South Africa,” Mukhulani said.

Coincidentally, Under-19 coach Prosper Utseya was having a session with three of his boys on the Harare Sports Club wicket as Mukuhlani spoke to the media.

Zimbabwe’s reinstatement meant the Under-19s will now play at the World Cup running from January 17- February 9 in South Africa.

During their suspension, Zimbabwe could not play in ICC tournaments hence the senior men’s and women’s team missed out on their respective World T20 qualifiers.

“Obviously, the greatest desire for any athlete is to be at the world stage. That’s why they turn up every day to practice,’’ said Mukuhlani.

‘‘It’s because they want to be at the world stage.”

Mukuhlani hopes Zimbabwe Cricket will not fall into such a ditch again.

“I think the major lesson out of this is that there should be a better way of conflict resolution.

‘‘There must be clarity as to what interference is and what intervention is and there is need to appreciate everyone’s role in the food chain.

‘‘The Government has a big role to play, for instance, if we are to host a tournament we need government guarantees.

“Those may not be necessarily financial in our case. But we don’t run the security for the country, the Government does. We don’t run the immigration, the Government does,’’ Mukuhlani said.