malvernmugadzikwa
Don Makanyanga
Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE was yesterday appointed to head an interim Africa Cricket Association board until the next annual general meeting (AGM) next year.
Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) chairperson Tavengwa Mukuhlani will chair the board, made up of other members from South Africa, Nigeria, Uganda and Sierra Leone.
The decision was made at the elective AGM held in Harare, and came as a result of a unanimous decision by the members.
“One of the outcomes of the AGM is to restructure Africa Cricket, its governance structures and its constitution,” said Mukuhlani.
“The General Council did come up with a resolution that there will be an interim committee that I will chair with five other members, until we get to the next AGM, which will be in May of next year.”
The ZC chairperson called on Zimbabwe and South Africa, the only full member states of the International Cricket Council in Africa, to take on a leading role in the development of the game on the continent.
“Africa is a big continent with huge potential. There are 23 members of the Africa Cricket Association,” he said.
“There are two full members in Africa — South Africa and Zimbabwe — and the participation of these two gives context to the competition and, more so, the experience that the other upcoming teams get from playing alongside players from South Africa and from Zimbabwe.
“We have a duty to care for those that are below us. We don’t take pride in being successful and being an oasis of success. For us (Zimbabwe and South Africa), I think it’s important that we are part of this grouping and we help wherever we can.”
Mukuhlani said Zimbabwe was ready to take on the challenge and play a leading role in the development of the sport.
“It’s a new challenge; a new challenge that I personally cherish,” he said. “I look forward to working well with Cassim Suliman (the Africa Cricket Association executive director) and his team, and other member countries.
“As a country, we have got an excellent relationship with Asia, particularly India. I believe it’s something that we need to establish as well for Africa.
“The Africa Cricket Association must have stronger links with the Asia Cricket Council.”
Suliman told the media that plans were underway to bring an Africa Premier League to the continent. This is part of efforts to develop the sport on the continent, he added.
“We are planning to, after board approval, bring the Africa Premier League,” he said.
“That’s what we are busy with at the moment, on the sponsorship.
“Once that comes together, we will go to the board and they will locate it and then we will take it from there.”
Online Reporter