adminIT seems finally there is light at the end of the tunnel for cricket players after Zimbabwe Cricket made an undertaking to clear outstanding salaries and allowances at Friday’s meeting in Harare. The players have been refusing to play demanding to be paid their outstanding salaries and allowances.
The players were even refusing to attend training sessions.
It seems ZC’s financial problems are easing as ZC chairman Peter Chingoka reportedly told senior players and their representative Eliah Zvimba that they will soon clear the arrears.
“The ZC chairman told the meeting that arrangements have been put in place to pay all the outstanding salaries and match fees.
“The players’ representative welcomed the announcement saying the payment of outstanding money will bring to an end the dispute between ZC and the players,” a statement from ZC read.
Another meeting is scheduled for today to map the way forward with regards to the resumption of action and finalisation of the national team camp which will prepare for the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Twenty20 tournament set for Bangladesh in March.
Senior cricketers are also expected to meet this afternoon to discuss ZC payment terms.
National team players are owed five months salaries while franchise cricketers have gone for three months without pay.
Though ZC media and communications manager Lovemore Banda could not be drawn into commenting on where the funds would come from to clear outstanding salaries and allowances, Cricinfo reports that ZC received $3 million from the International Cricket Council.
The money, along with a sponsorship deal from potato chip company Lay’s, will not cover ZC’s entire debt of up to $18 million but it should allow the board to compensate players and coaches, and run competitions. Should matches resume, Zimbabwe are likely to begin with their limited overs (20) competition in preparation for next month’s World Twenty20.
Zimbabwe have not played international cricket since September, when they hosted Pakistan.
No domestic cricket tournaments have been played in Zimbabwe since mid-December when the players decided to go on strike over non-payment. The boycott has left Zimbabwe short of match practice ahead of a major tournament.
Although the players are eager to resume playing, they have stuck to their position of “no pay, no play”. — Sports Reporter/online.
Online Reporter