adminJeffrey Murimbechi Sports Correspondent
Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations, a trade union for the players from seven of the International Cricket Council member countries, met the Zimbabwe Professional Cricketers Association leadership yesterday.
The meeting took place at the Harare Sports Club pavilion where FICA delegates Tony Irish, the chief executive of the South African Cricketers Association, Andrew Breetzk, head of Legal and players advocate, met ZPCA secretary general Eliah Zvimba and senior players of the Zimbabwe cricket team.
“We are here to understand their issues and try to provide them with information and assistance which will give them a way forward when dealing with their board on various issues,” said Irish.
“There are problems such as not being paid for many months and that needs to be addressed because you have players who are contracted to play professional cricket and there needs to be a more reliable structure.
“It is up to the local association to find an amicable solution, there is need for constructive discussion between them and ZC to deal with these things and, hopefully, that will happen.
“It is important to understand what happens in other countries, most cricket countries are similar in the way that they operate with their teams, contracts, payments to players.
“Zimbabwe Cricket might be a smaller cricket economy compared to other countries but there are still common ways to deal with things.”
Zvimba said his association was not at war with the ZC leadership.
“We are excited that we are not alone and we have got other compatriots and the meeting was very fruitful. We got some insights on how we should move forward as an association.
“As you are well aware our association is still at its infancy, from the notes that we have shared we are relieved that the world is behind us and they also, just like us, want to see progress and positives,” said Zvimba.
Online Reporter