Will Zimbabwe qualify?

[sloandog]

Ok I’m not arguing, you heard what you heard. I’m sure it would have been towards the end of the Club era though.
The death of the Club structures was disastrous for Zim cricket.

So here's the thing. I asked my dad if he remembers this. He certainly did. Apparently these were some non ZC execs that were invited by a disgruntled former club member. The former club member was not happy at being voted out at previous club elections, and was hoping to stage some kind of coup to get control of the cricket side of the club and invited these guys because apparently, "when he is in charge, he would help them get in to power"

I don't think it ever came to fruition.

So much corruption, even at club level.

[Googly]

I’m almost prepared to bet that this occurred around the time that the clubs still had a vote. It’s when we realized that we were fighting a lost cause and it had nothing to do with cricket, but all about getting the paws on the Steering wheel and hence the moolah. I told you guys the story of the one political fella trying to load OG’s membership with dozens of his mates the week before our AGM. We managed to stop him, but it was racial and ugly, not that it would have mattered anyway. He’s still sniping away at ZC and we now think he’s a good guy!

[zimbos_05]

Would have been around 2001/2002 if memory serves me correctly.

[jaybro]

Getting back to the cricket and the weather it really would be a shame if rain were to play a big part in this. It would hard enough to swallow if Zimbabwe don’t qualify fair and square but if it’s the rain who knock us out it will be harder to accept.

We got lucky in 2003 with the rain pretty much putting us through to the super sixes.

[PGada]

QUESTION ASKED - HOW DO ZC MANAGE TO NOT PAY THE GUYS FOR EXTENDED PERIODS WITHOUT PEOPLE GETTING TOGETHER AND DEMANDING THE PITTANCE THEY ARE DUE? I KNOW KEY GUYS IN THE NATIONAL TEAM USUALLY GET THEIR MONEY AND THE MAJORITY RESIGN THEMSELVES TO BEING MESSED AROUND. ANY THOUGHTS WHY THIS HAPPENS, PATRICK?

27TH February 2018.

HI EVERYONE - Thanks for your remarks forum members on the article I wrote last week (23rd February, 2018) about the state and some history of Zimbabwe Cricket from the 90s to present. As always, I think I will be able to contribute on the forum when asked specific questions. I DO NOT KNOW IT ALL, BUT WILL GIVE MY PERSONAL AND HONEST OPINION AS ALWAYS.

HI ADMIN - Before I answer the question above from a member of this forum, can I please check something AGAIN. I was trying to change my username from PGada to PatrickGada but was not able to do so. How come? Are you the only one allowed to change user’s personal information? I hope to be on the forum for now and will let you know when I need to leave thanks.

ANSWER – TO BEST ANSWER THE ABOVE QUESTION, IT IS BEST TO UNDERSTAND SOME OF THE DIVIDE AND RULE TACTICS THAT HAVE BEEN APPLIED AND USED BY THE ZC REGIME SINCE 2001. If we go back - After the 2003 World Cup, Ozias Bvute embarked on an increased aggressive racial integration campaign and implementation. He stated that, because the mainly white national team had been losing, it made no difference if he and associates picked a team that was more reflective of the demographics of Zimbabwe and include more black players. In April, 2004, experienced players went on strike after the Peter Chingoka led ZC board refused to meet their demands, concerning the ZC’s hastily enforced racial quota system and allegations of incompetency. The so called “rebel players” included 15 white Zimbabwean players with 262 Test caps between them, namely: Heath Streak, Grant Flower, Andy Blignaut, Travis Friend, Douglas Marillier, Ray Price, Stuart Carlisle, Gary Brent, Barney Rogers, Craig Wishart, Trevor Gripper, Neil Ferreira, Sean Ervine, Charles Coventry and Gavin Ewing. Several black players, Douglas Hondo, Tatenda Taibu, Mluleki Nkala and Dion Ebrahim considered the idea of joining the rebels, but all later denied the possibility. All striking players went on to be dismissed in May, 2004 by the ZC regime, although 3 later made themselves available for selection: Gavin Ewing, Barney Rogers and Charles Coventry. The players also claimed Heath Streak had been unlawfully removed as national captain, which the ZC board had acted improperly, and they wanted to see "political influence" removed within ZC. STUART CARLISLE RIGHTLY SUMMED THE EVENTS IN SAYING “WE CANNOT HAVE PEOPLE WHO DO NOT KNOW WHICH SIDE OF THE BAT IS UP AT THE HELM OF CRICKET”. WITH THE SAD EXPERIENCED PLAYERS WALKOUT AND THE SHOCKING RESULTS THAT FOLLOWED INCLUDING THE SHOCKING ZIMBABWE TOUR OF SOUTH AFRICA IN 2004/5 - This was a time when Peter Chingoka, Ozias Bvute and the entire ZC regime should have done the most noble thing, owned up their failures and resigned, but they got away with pure incompetency.

1. In 2004, Vince Hogg (the then ZC managing director) accused Ozias Bvute of being radical with his racial integration policy. This led to Vince Hogg being accused of being racist and not wanting to seek change. In August 2004, Vince Hogg was systematically frustrated and pushed out of ZC. He resigned because he attempted to stand up for the welfare and well-being of players as well as the political interference with team selection led by Ozias Bvute. Peter Chingoka, then ZCU chairman welcomed Vince Hogg’s resignation and stated that; “Hogg's resignation had been accepted with regret. “While we are sorry he wants to go, we respect his decision and the personal reason for it. HE LEAVES THE UNION IN A HEALTHY FINANCIAL STATE, and we wish Vince all the best in his future endeavors" (Wisden Cricinfo Staff – 17th June, 2004)

2. With his (Vince Hogg’s) departure there was more leeway to loot money by Peter Chingoka and associates from the ZC coffers. In retrospective - IT IS NOW EVIDENT THAT, THE ONLY HEALTHY STATE THEY WANTED ZC TO BE IN WAS FOR A FEW UNWITTING DIE HARD LOYALISTS TO REIGN SUPREME AND GAIN POWER, TO PRESENT SOME OF THEM HAVE CONTINUED TO LOOT MONEY DRY LIKE PARASITES THEY ARE. With the bully Ozias Bvute effective in expelling others - To add salt to the wound, in 2004, the ZC regime began to push for the elevation of the mysterious figure and bully Ozias Bvute as Managing Director to replace Vince Hogg, and did succeed. The question is; did corrupt officials in the Zimbabwe government UNDER President Mugabe who was the then Patron of ZC play a hand or did they turn a blind eye? Ozias Bvute often boasted of close links in the President’s office and that he reported to the Presidium and higher office as he liked to put it across.

3. To date, Peter Chingoka, Ozias Bvute, associates, and SOME of their unwitting puppets and clowns they left in power continue to display dictatorial manners, running ZC like a “FAMILY BUSINESS”, doing the same things over and over again, whilst continuing to fail. The introduction of 10 provinces using government demarcated provincial boundaries by Peter Chingoka in the mid-2000s helped them to consolidate power, set up the structure/s and hand pick provincial chairmen to protect interests of a few and sit on the ZC Board. These are structures similar to devising “the devil to win elections in heaven”, all highly flawed processes used to maintain power and run an international cricket board under the International Cricket Council (ICC). This led to more non-cricketing people coming into cricket and having to sit on the ZC Board, with amateurish and no constructive ideas but only one agenda, thus to enrich themselves, associates whilst ruining and ending many good and great sporting careers.

4. There has been insurmountable levels of corruption since 2001-2018, with many careers for black and white Zimbabweans ruthlessly and mercilessly cut short, thus, leaving not only individuals bewildered, frustrated and left to dry, but hindering the economy of Zimbabwe and employment creation. In another turn of the phrase - The cruel, inhumane ZC regime should always remember the great African proverb; “A BULLY FORGETS WHAT THE VICTIM REMEMBERS” or “THE AXE FORGETS WHAT THE TREE REMEMBERS”.

5. Many people including current NAIVE young players and administrators have been unknowingly used and continue to be used by the ZC regime. Some are closely watched or used to watch others through use of intelligence surveillance and following by the ZC hierarchy. This allows ZC to monitor how players or coaches are thinking, news they are passing on to others and what they are getting up to including any youthful misdemeanors. Many of them have not been aware of this and freely mingle with various intelligence operatives. Some of the players may look big in physical size or physical stature but do not have the intellectual capacity to be aware of such operations. Through fear and after various player revolts from the early 2000s, ZC regime has kept players under close watch and control. THIS IS SIMILAR TO A PANOPTICAN GAZE. The panopticon allows a watchman to observe occupants without the occupants knowing whether or not they are being watched. As a metaphor, the panopticon was commandeered in the 20th century as a way to trace the surveillance tendencies of disciplinarian societies. The French philosopher Michel Foucault revitalised interest in the panopticon in his 1975 book - Discipline and Punish. Foucault used the panopticon as a way to illustrate the tendency of disciplinary societies subjugate its citizens. Those who know and get close to ZC cruel operations could benefit immensely as there is a lot of money involved. However, the minute they step out of line and attempt to expose any secrets of the ZC regime, they will be dismissed without fear, face possible jail sentence or could even risk being killed.

With Peter Chingoka and Ozias Bvute at the helm there was a mass exodus of players, coaches and administrators. The worst being the mass expulsion of experienced senior players by ZC in 2004, and led to the subsequent withdrawal of Zimbabwe from playing Test cricket, resulting in Zimbabwe coming back as a partially talented but weakened team in 2011. ABYSMAL DYSFUNCTIONAL ADMINISTRATION IS STILL EVIDENT IN 2017/18. ZC HAS AND CONTINUES TO MISTREAT, THREATEN, HIRE AND FIRE COMPETENT PLAYERS, COACHES, YET THERE HAVE BEEN MANY ABYSMAL ADMINISTRATORS WHO HAVE COME FROM NOWHERE, AMASSED RICHES, AND CONTINUE TO AMASS RICHES. They continue to enrich themselves, families and close associates at the expense of the hard work put in by many individuals before them within Zimbabwe cricket, and Zimbabwe as a nation before and after independence in 1980. Do these administrators have INVINCIBLE political associates or are associated with CARELESS, CORRUPT people in higher places of authority?

6. Players have over the years and in recent time not got enough game time or are many a time not paid on time, thus many talented young Zimbabwean players continue to/and have been forced to live in fear of victimisation if they express their views. Some TALENTED YOUNG Zimbabweans have had their careers cut short or have been forced to seek greener pastures OR BETTER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT in other countries e.g. Colin De Grandhomme (who I coached in 1998 at Highlands Junior school in his last year of junior school and is now doing well playing for Auckland and New Zealand - at Highlands junior school I was First XI cricket coach and a Physical Education teaching assistant to Shepherd Makunura the current Zimbabwe “A” Coach), Friday Kasteni (Australia), Tawanda Mpariwa (Australia), Anthony Ireland (England and New Zealand), Tendayi Mashonganyika (South Africa), Sam and Tom Curran (England National Team/s), Neetan Chouhan (Australia), Gary Balance (England National Team), James Cameron (who moved to Australian from Zimbabwe and also played County Cricket for Worcestershire CCC), Brighton Mugochi (now based in England), Tinotenda Mawoyo (who is regarded as a Test player but is now doing cricket commentary as there is not much Test Cricket Zimbabwe is playing). These young people do work hard, are trying to make it in life and be decent citizens but the ZC system and managers has treated them like slaves as they loot and plunder money. You cannot treat them or anyone like garbage, or have them or anyone living in fear when a few corrupt individuals want any money available to enrich themselves, associates and cronies – THIS HAS DAMAGED AND STILL IS DAMAGING THE FUTURE OF YOUNG PEOPLE AND GENERATIONS TO FOLLOW.

7. With insanity and fear prevailing for 18 years (2001 – 2018), many experienced people HAVE had no choice but leave Zimbabwe for the UK, South Africa, Canada, Australia, and other countries. The ZC regime from 2001 did nothing to stop the cricket talent or expertise drain as more and more cricketing personnel moved away from ZC. The Indians, Australians, English, Chinese work to educate their young people to build, maintain, develop their talents, yet ZC has been maintained as a corruption institution to please a few, and create the next generation of elite Zimbabweans in lessons to be corrupt, incompetent and selfish, rather than calm, harmonious and fair citizens.

8. CRICKET DECISIONS MADE BY CRICKET PEOPLE REQUIRE A BUDGET, SO NON-CRICKETING CORRUPT PEOPLE IN ZC, WILL NEVER DO SO, AS THIS IS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST. They will never-never plan to put aside money meant for cricket development from the ICC for cricket purposes, which is the money that ZC and associates have stolen, and plundered over the years.

9. The ZC regime has cut and abolished the scholarship scheme introduced in 80s by the then Zimbabwe Cricket Union (ZCU) with the help of Dave Levy, Lazarus Zizhou, Dave Houghton and others to help talented players from disadvantaged backgrounds. Some current younger players, coaches and administrators in ZC like Steve Mangongo, Walter Chawaguta, Shepherd Makunura, Tatenda Taibu, Moses Chitare, David Mutendera, Jonh Jamba, Jeff Muteerwa, George Tandi, Succeed Jabangwe, Lovemore and Alfred Mbwebwe, Alistair Maregwede, Hamilton Masakadza, Prosper Utseya, Tinashe Ruswa, Thomas Dangarembizi, Elton Chigumbura, Chamu Chibhabha, Taurai Madiri, Vusi Sibanda, to name a few, are products of the scholarship scheme from the 80s and the 90s.

Despite the sad occurrences within Zimbabwean cricket over the years, in life, there is always need to focus on the positive and future generations. In 2018, all Zimbabweans need to stand up and start a rebuilding process for the benefit of all Zimbabwean cricketers. As for the greedy administrators in ZC, they need to understand that a big and world renowned football club like F.C. Barcelona in Spain, is what it is because the top brass of Barcelona F.C. fully understand they would be nobody without the players, and they most likely get paid less than most players. Zimbabweans do not pay to come and watch the incompetent ZC hierarchy in their posh pavilion sits, posh suits, gulping expensive drinks or gluttonise expensive meals with their partners. Players provide entertainment in their short careers, coaches, along with good structures help develop the players from youth, which is where the bulk of the ICC development funding should be going. Not into to the pockets of greedy individuals, or the bottomless pit in their back gardens, farms or companies they and associate run in Zimbabwe, other African countries, in Europe, Asia or the United States of America (USA). ONE CANNOT LOOT MONEY FROM ONE DEVELOPING NATION AND ENRICH ANOTHER.

10. It must be noted clearly that what is urgently required whether Zimbabwe qualify for the 2019 ENGLAND CRICKET WORLD CUP are cricket-minded individuals with some business background, who can make budgets on cricket development and are accountable to proper corporate governance with proper checks and balances undertaken. Only they could bring back the quality players, other coaches and administrators.

11. Administrators cannot be administrators without players, however, players could take part in a game and from that they could decide to have a manager/or director, and may form their own administration. Players’ interests must be well represented rather than having administrators use divide-and-rule tactics to weaken them, rather than have exploitative tactics of using a few senior players to get rid of player representatives like what occurred in the past. Zimbabwean players have to be careful, thus, not to continue supporting a system that does not support them and others to follow, above all, is hindering, not only their progress, but that of many ordinary Zimbabweans, including generations to follow, the country’s economy and Gross Domestic Product (GDP), ZC has done just that over the years and needs to change.

12. The parasitic opportunists’ know that they have nothing to lose if Zimbabwe cricket suffers. They are aware that Zimbabwe Cricket does not need them but cling on to their false belief and sense of security. As some ZC corrupt individuals enjoy a lavish life, many players and coaches have been and are deprived of basic cricketing structures and needs at grassroots, club, provincial and national levels. ZC needs to pave way for experienced players, coaches and administrators who have left since 2001 to hopefully feel welcome. Cricket loving people of Zimbabwe are tired of your isms and schisms, the crooked maladministration ways of ZC operations need to go. We do not have to be friends for ZC to move ahead and be competitive, all that is needed is professionalism, and judging all Zimbabweans on what expertise and experience they can bring.

Thank you,

Political Commentator interested Social issues and Positive Intercultural Communication, Zimbabwe Cricket fan and a former Player/Coach,

Patrick Gada (27TH February 2018)
WhatsApp – 00447712339722
Twitter - PatrickGada1
Facebook - Patrick Kudzayi Gada
LinkedIn – Patrick Gada

[PGada]

QUESTION ASKED - HOW DO ZC MANAGE TO NOT PAY THE GUYS FOR EXTENDED PERIODS WITHOUT PEOPLE GETTING TOGETHER AND DEMANDING THE PITTANCE THEY ARE DUE? I KNOW KEY GUYS IN THE NATIONAL TEAM USUALLY GET THEIR MONEY AND THE MAJORITY RESIGN THEMSELVES TO BEING MESSED AROUND. ANY THOUGHTS WHY THIS HAPPENS, PATRICK?

27TH February 2018.

HI EVERYONE - Thanks for your remarks forum members on the article I wrote last week (23rd February, 2018) about the state and some history of Zimbabwe Cricket from the 90s to present. As always, I think I will be able to contribute on the forum when asked specific questions. I DO NOT KNOW IT ALL, BUT WILL GIVE MY PERSONAL AND HONEST OPINION AS ALWAYS.

HI ADMIN - Before I answer the question above from a member of this forum, can I please check something AGAIN. I was trying to change my username from PGada to PatrickGada but was not able to do so. How come? Are you the only one allowed to change user’s personal information? I hope to be on the forum for now and will let you know when I need to leave thanks.

ANSWER – TO BEST ANSWER THE ABOVE QUESTION, IT IS BEST TO UNDERSTAND SOME OF THE DIVIDE AND RULE TACTICS THAT HAVE BEEN APPLIED AND USED BY THE ZC REGIME SINCE 2001. If we go back - After the 2003 World Cup, Ozias Bvute embarked on an increased aggressive racial integration campaign and implementation. He stated that, because the mainly white national team had been losing, it made no difference if he and associates picked a team that was more reflective of the demographics of Zimbabwe and include more black players. In April, 2004, experienced players went on strike after the Peter Chingoka led ZC board refused to meet their demands, concerning the ZC’s hastily enforced racial quota system and allegations of incompetency. The so called “rebel players” included 15 white Zimbabwean players with 262 Test caps between them, namely: Heath Streak, Grant Flower, Andy Blignaut, Travis Friend, Douglas Marillier, Ray Price, Stuart Carlisle, Gary Brent, Barney Rogers, Craig Wishart, Trevor Gripper, Neil Ferreira, Sean Ervine, Charles Coventry and Gavin Ewing. Several black players, Douglas Hondo, Tatenda Taibu, Mluleki Nkala and Dion Ebrahim considered the idea of joining the rebels, but all later denied the possibility. All striking players went on to be dismissed in May, 2004 by the ZC regime, although 3 later made themselves available for selection: Gavin Ewing, Barney Rogers and Charles Coventry. The players also claimed Heath Streak had been unlawfully removed as national captain, which the ZC board had acted improperly, and they wanted to see "political influence" removed within ZC. STUART CARLISLE RIGHTLY SUMMED THE EVENTS IN SAYING “WE CANNOT HAVE PEOPLE WHO DO NOT KNOW WHICH SIDE OF THE BAT IS UP AT THE HELM OF CRICKET”. WITH THE SAD EXPERIENCED PLAYERS WALKOUT AND THE SHOCKING RESULTS THAT FOLLOWED INCLUDING THE SHOCKING ZIMBABWE TOUR OF SOUTH AFRICA IN 2004/5 - This was a time when Peter Chingoka, Ozias Bvute and the entire ZC regime should have done the most noble thing, owned up their failures and resigned, but they got away with pure incompetency.

1. In 2004, Vince Hogg (the then ZC managing director) accused Ozias Bvute of being radical with his racial integration policy. This led to Vince Hogg being accused of being racist and not wanting to seek change. In August 2004, Vince Hogg was systematically frustrated and pushed out of ZC. He resigned because he attempted to stand up for the welfare and well-being of players as well as the political interference with team selection led by Ozias Bvute. Peter Chingoka, then ZCU chairman welcomed Vince Hogg’s resignation and stated that; “Hogg's resignation had been accepted with regret. “While we are sorry he wants to go, we respect his decision and the personal reason for it. HE LEAVES THE UNION IN A HEALTHY FINANCIAL STATE, and we wish Vince all the best in his future endeavors" (Wisden Cricinfo Staff – 17th June, 2004)

2. With his (Vince Hogg’s) departure there was more leeway to loot money by Peter Chingoka and associates from the ZC coffers. In retrospective - IT IS NOW EVIDENT THAT, THE ONLY HEALTHY STATE THEY WANTED ZC TO BE IN WAS FOR A FEW UNWITTING DIE HARD LOYALISTS TO REIGN SUPREME AND GAIN POWER, TO PRESENT SOME OF THEM HAVE CONTINUED TO LOOT MONEY DRY LIKE PARASITES THEY ARE. With the bully Ozias Bvute effective in expelling others - To add salt to the wound, in 2004, the ZC regime began to push for the elevation of the mysterious figure and bully Ozias Bvute as Managing Director to replace Vince Hogg, and did succeed. The question is; did corrupt officials in the Zimbabwe government UNDER President Mugabe who was the then Patron of ZC play a hand or did they turn a blind eye? Ozias Bvute often boasted of close links in the President’s office and that he reported to the Presidium and higher office as he liked to put it across.

3. To date, Peter Chingoka, Ozias Bvute, associates, and SOME of their unwitting puppets and clowns they left in power continue to display dictatorial manners, running ZC like a “FAMILY BUSINESS”, doing the same things over and over again, whilst continuing to fail. The introduction of 10 provinces using government demarcated provincial boundaries by Peter Chingoka in the mid-2000s helped them to consolidate power, set up the structure/s and hand pick provincial chairmen to protect interests of a few and sit on the ZC Board. These are structures similar to devising “the devil to win elections in heaven”, all highly flawed processes used to maintain power and run an international cricket board under the International Cricket Council (ICC). This led to more non-cricketing people coming into cricket and having to sit on the ZC Board, with amateurish and no constructive ideas but only one agenda, thus to enrich themselves, associates whilst ruining and ending many good and great sporting careers.

4. There has been insurmountable levels of corruption since 2001-2018, with many careers for black and white Zimbabweans ruthlessly and mercilessly cut short, thus, leaving not only individuals bewildered, frustrated and left to dry, but hindering the economy of Zimbabwe and employment creation. In another turn of the phrase - The cruel, inhumane ZC regime should always remember the great African proverb; “A BULLY FORGETS WHAT THE VICTIM REMEMBERS” or “THE AXE FORGETS WHAT THE TREE REMEMBERS”.

5. Many people including current NAIVE young players and administrators have been unknowingly used and continue to be used by the ZC regime. Some are closely watched or used to watch others through use of intelligence surveillance and following by the ZC hierarchy. This allows ZC to monitor how players or coaches are thinking, news they are passing on to others and what they are getting up to including any youthful misdemeanors. Many of them have not been aware of this and freely mingle with various intelligence operatives. Some of the players may look big in physical size or physical stature but do not have the intellectual capacity to be aware of such operations. Through fear and after various player revolts from the early 2000s, ZC regime has kept players under close watch and control. THIS IS SIMILAR TO A PANOPTICAN GAZE. The panopticon allows a watchman to observe occupants without the occupants knowing whether or not they are being watched. As a metaphor, the panopticon was commandeered in the 20th century as a way to trace the surveillance tendencies of disciplinarian societies. The French philosopher Michel Foucault revitalised interest in the panopticon in his 1975 book - Discipline and Punish. Foucault used the panopticon as a way to illustrate the tendency of disciplinary societies subjugate its citizens. Those who know and get close to ZC cruel operations could benefit immensely as there is a lot of money involved. However, the minute they step out of line and attempt to expose any secrets of the ZC regime, they will be dismissed without fear, face possible jail sentence or could even risk being killed.

With Peter Chingoka and Ozias Bvute at the helm there was a mass exodus of players, coaches and administrators. The worst being the mass expulsion of experienced senior players by ZC in 2004, and led to the subsequent withdrawal of Zimbabwe from playing Test cricket, resulting in Zimbabwe coming back as a partially talented but weakened team in 2011. ABYSMAL DYSFUNCTIONAL ADMINISTRATION IS STILL EVIDENT IN 2017/18. ZC HAS AND CONTINUES TO MISTREAT, THREATEN, HIRE AND FIRE COMPETENT PLAYERS, COACHES, YET THERE HAVE BEEN MANY ABYSMAL ADMINISTRATORS WHO HAVE COME FROM NOWHERE, AMASSED RICHES, AND CONTINUE TO AMASS RICHES. They continue to enrich themselves, families and close associates at the expense of the hard work put in by many individuals before them within Zimbabwe cricket, and Zimbabwe as a nation before and after independence in 1980. Do these administrators have INVINCIBLE political associates or are associated with CARELESS, CORRUPT people in higher places of authority?

6. Players have over the years and in recent time not got enough game time or are many a time not paid on time, thus many talented young Zimbabwean players continue to/and have been forced to live in fear of victimisation if they express their views. Some TALENTED YOUNG Zimbabweans have had their careers cut short or have been forced to seek greener pastures OR BETTER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT in other countries e.g. Colin De Grandhomme (who I coached in 1998 at Highlands Junior school in his last year of junior school and is now doing well playing for Auckland and New Zealand - at Highlands junior school I was First XI cricket coach and a Physical Education teaching assistant to Shepherd Makunura the current Zimbabwe “A” Coach), Friday Kasteni (Australia), Tawanda Mpariwa (Australia), Anthony Ireland (England and New Zealand), Tendayi Mashonganyika (South Africa), Sam and Tom Curran (England National Team/s), Neetan Chouhan (Australia), Gary Balance (England National Team), James Cameron (who moved to Australian from Zimbabwe and also played County Cricket for Worcestershire CCC), Brighton Mugochi (now based in England), Tinotenda Mawoyo (who is regarded as a Test player but is now doing cricket commentary as there is not much Test Cricket Zimbabwe is playing). These young people do work hard, are trying to make it in life and be decent citizens but the ZC system and managers has treated them like slaves as they loot and plunder money. You cannot treat them or anyone like garbage, or have them or anyone living in fear when a few corrupt individuals want any money available to enrich themselves, associates and cronies – THIS HAS DAMAGED AND STILL IS DAMAGING THE FUTURE OF YOUNG PEOPLE AND GENERATIONS TO FOLLOW.

7. With insanity and fear prevailing for 18 years (2001 – 2018), many experienced people HAVE had no choice but leave Zimbabwe for the UK, South Africa, Canada, Australia, and other countries. The ZC regime from 2001 did nothing to stop the cricket talent or expertise drain as more and more cricketing personnel moved away from ZC. The Indians, Australians, English, Chinese work to educate their young people to build, maintain, develop their talents, yet ZC has been maintained as a corruption institution to please a few, and create the next generation of elite Zimbabweans in lessons to be corrupt, incompetent and selfish, rather than calm, harmonious and fair citizens.

8. CRICKET DECISIONS MADE BY CRICKET PEOPLE REQUIRE A BUDGET, SO NON-CRICKETING CORRUPT PEOPLE IN ZC, WILL NEVER DO SO, AS THIS IS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST. They will never-never plan to put aside money meant for cricket development from the ICC for cricket purposes, which is the money that ZC and associates have stolen, and plundered over the years.

9. The ZC regime has cut and abolished the scholarship scheme introduced in 80s by the then Zimbabwe Cricket Union (ZCU) with the help of Dave Levy, Lazarus Zizhou, Dave Houghton and others to help talented players from disadvantaged backgrounds. Some current younger players, coaches and administrators in ZC like Steve Mangongo, Walter Chawaguta, Shepherd Makunura, Tatenda Taibu, Moses Chitare, David Mutendera, Jonh Jamba, Jeff Muteerwa, George Tandi, Succeed Jabangwe, Lovemore and Alfred Mbwebwe, Alistair Maregwede, Hamilton Masakadza, Prosper Utseya, Tinashe Ruswa, Thomas Dangarembizi, Elton Chigumbura, Chamu Chibhabha, Taurai Madiri, Vusi Sibanda, to name a few, are products of the scholarship scheme from the 80s and the 90s.

Despite the sad occurrences within Zimbabwean cricket over the years, in life, there is always need to focus on the positive and future generations. In 2018, all Zimbabweans need to stand up and start a rebuilding process for the benefit of all Zimbabwean cricketers. As for the greedy administrators in ZC, they need to understand that a big and world renowned football club like F.C. Barcelona in Spain, is what it is because the top brass of Barcelona F.C. fully understand they would be nobody without the players, and they most likely get paid less than most players. Zimbabweans do not pay to come and watch the incompetent ZC hierarchy in their posh pavilion sits, posh suits, gulping expensive drinks or gluttonise expensive meals with their partners. Players provide entertainment in their short careers, coaches, along with good structures help develop the players from youth, which is where the bulk of the ICC development funding should be going. Not into to the pockets of greedy individuals, or the bottomless pit in their back gardens, farms or companies they and associate run in Zimbabwe, other African countries, in Europe, Asia or the United States of America (USA). ONE CANNOT LOOT MONEY FROM ONE DEVELOPING NATION AND ENRICH ANOTHER.

10. It must be noted clearly that what is urgently required whether Zimbabwe qualify for the 2019 ENGLAND CRICKET WORLD CUP are cricket-minded individuals with some business background, who can make budgets on cricket development and are accountable to proper corporate governance with proper checks and balances undertaken. Only they could bring back the quality players, other coaches and administrators.

11. Administrators cannot be administrators without players, however, players could take part in a game and from that they could decide to have a manager/or director, and may form their own administration. Players’ interests must be well represented rather than having administrators use divide-and-rule tactics to weaken them, rather than have exploitative tactics of using a few senior players to get rid of player representatives like what occurred in the past. Zimbabwean players have to be careful, thus, not to continue supporting a system that does not support them and others to follow, above all, is hindering, not only their progress, but that of many ordinary Zimbabweans, including generations to follow, the country’s economy and Gross Domestic Product (GDP), ZC has done just that over the years and needs to change.

12. The parasitic opportunists’ know that they have nothing to lose if Zimbabwe cricket suffers. They are aware that Zimbabwe Cricket does not need them but cling on to their false belief and sense of security. As some ZC corrupt individuals enjoy a lavish life, many players and coaches have been and are deprived of basic cricketing structures and needs at grassroots, club, provincial and national levels. ZC needs to pave way for experienced players, coaches and administrators who have left since 2001 to hopefully feel welcome. Cricket loving people of Zimbabwe are tired of your isms and schisms, the crooked maladministration ways of ZC operations need to go. We do not have to be friends for ZC to move ahead and be competitive, all that is needed is professionalism, and judging all Zimbabweans on what expertise and experience they can bring.

Thank you,

Political Commentator interested Social issues and Positive Intercultural Communication, Zimbabwe Cricket fan and a former Player/Coach,

Patrick Gada (27TH February 2018)
WhatsApp – 00447712339722
Twitter - PatrickGada1
Facebook - Patrick Kudzayi Gada
LinkedIn – Patrick Gada

[sloandog]

With the best squad we've had since at least 2003, possibly earlier, there is absolutely no reason why we shouldn't be qualifying.

[Googly]

Yup we just have to do it. I saw the Dutch today in the nets, they’re looking sharp. I just can’t believe we’re not getting a game in Harare, it’s absolute bullshit.

[eugene]

Getting back to the cricket and the weather it really would be a shame if rain were to play a big part in this. It would hard enough to swallow if Zimbabwe don’t qualify fair and square but if it’s the rain who knock us out it will be harder to accept.

We got lucky in 2003 with the rain pretty much putting us through to the super sixes.

Any the England boycott. The 2003 World Cup was quite the debacle. Zimbabwe made it to the Super Sixes because of England refusing to play us and the match against Pakistan being abandoned. Kenya made it through due to NZ refusing to go to Nairobi and one upset win over SL. Kenya then only made it to the semis because of a victory over an already demoralised Zimbabwe in the Super Sixes. The 2003 Kenyan achievement was special, but not quite the giant-killing act some make it out to be - they really only beat one team of significance in the entire tournament. Zimbabwe in 1999 was the greater achievement in my opinion.

[Kriterion_BD]

Any the England boycott. The 2003 World Cup was quite the debacle. Zimbabwe made it to the Super Sixes because of England refusing to play us and the match against Pakistan being abandoned. Kenya made it through due to NZ refusing to go to Nairobi and one upset win over SL. Kenya then only made it to the semis because of a victory over an already demoralised Zimbabwe in the Super Sixes. The 2003 Kenyan achievement was special, but not quite the giant-killing act some make it out to be - they really only beat one team of significance in the entire tournament. Zimbabwe in 1999 was the greater achievement in my opinion.

Lol, thats mostly due to Ind-Paksters who like to big up Kenya as bard at Bangladeshi fans. "Even Kenya made it to a world cup semifinals" goes the common refrain. I swear BD fans will be hearing about Kenya till the Second Coming.

Did ZIM take anyone big down in 2003? I know they beat Australia in 2006 (WT20) and in 1983, and ENG in 1999 I believe. So I think they've got the 3 scalps in world cups.