Race Storm Hits Zim Cricket

[aydee]

If we kip this up we'll definetly end up in 2004 again... jus saying. if taylor gets sacked then the others follow. this dispute has nothing to do with cricket. dont u see it? its all politics and Zimbabwean politics always hurts Zimbabwe Cricket. this is the worst timing they could have possibly chosen to have their political dance-off

+1

[hhm]

I read Dean du Plessis' noble article in the Daily News - -"Let's find common ground". In it he seems to agree with some here that this saga poses a threat to Zimbabwe Cricket.

This very unpleasant turn of events has the potential of becoming very ugly and opening old wounds that could lead to a total disruption in a sport which is already buckling under financial constraints and the lack of international fixtures.

Interestingly he mentions the following

I personally feel that this debate is a double-edged sword, with both parties making valid points.

You see guys, you need to stop lumping everyone and everything together. Unlike the other parties, Makoni & Co. have nothing to fear. There's clear evidence that too much power was extended to certain people who could not cope with it, and we all know what happens if you cannot handle the amount of power that you have. You abuse it. This is precisely what happened, so AC&Co flopped. The Commission will only have one loser - Campbell and his camp. The amount of evidence is insurmountable!

Let those wounds be opened Dean. One thing's for sure, as sorry as I am that like a lot of people at Jairos Jiri in Bulawayo, your being blind was treated in an ill manner, the fact of the matter is this does not look good for your white fellows. A concession to both parties making valid points, it being a double-edged sword, and the need to put a blanket over things in order to avoid is simply a way of shying away from the heavy defeat the AC camp faces over this. You may view it as pouring oil over the fire, foreignfield, but the late Peter Roebuck didn't treat with suspicion the return of these fellows for nothing! AC thought he had a license to run through things at will, now it's about to backfire badly. Coltart was stupid & rash, and he will pay.

Former selectors chaiperson Bruce Makovah says "It’s a plot against Makoni" in the article also found in the Daily news.

To be honest, I think it’s targeted at Makoni,” said Makovah. “I think he is looking at an individual; this is where I have a problem with it. I played first-class cricket and when I was a selector, I had problems with former Test players, and that is why I resigned. If it was a general issue addressing all facets of the game, from selection, coaching, administration, board members, then I would say it is not targeting an individual. You need to synchronise all these things. From a minister’s point of view, that would have been a noble move. Those two anyway always had differences. It’s not the first time Coltart has targeted Makoni.”

More witnesses continue to come up, and I'm sure Makovah will be prepared to provide evidence of Coltart's long-standing witch-hunt against Makoni. We would be glad if he provides evidence of the problems he faced for those former Test players. Keep them coming gentlemen! This is precisely what we need to set off things here in SA. These developments mirror precisely what they are doing here at round about the same period - institutional racism - legislating their fight and resistance to transformation.

I can see everything is being done to prevent this saga reaching the international media, or should I say they are avoiding running it. They know what it means. I will post a twist from one of the white reporters here as soon as they have no choice but to write something on it. If you though Goebbels or Jono were spin-doctors, you haven't seen anything! Watch this space. I'm glad the likes of Martin Williamson exhausted just about anything and everything from the Peter Chingokas and Bvutes years ago, and the public - domestic and international have digested it. Any efforts to regurgitate it will fall on deaf ears!

[hhm]

Fresh from the Daily News - Cricket row deepens.
An email has been leaked confirming what Bayhaus suspected that no squad is released to the media unless someone with authority signs it off. It was Makoni who released a squad with Vusi in it, and it was Alistair Campbell who didn't want Vusi to play for Zimbabwe! Makoni was forced to apologise to Vusi together with Butcher - "Personally, meet Vusi and along with the coach, apologise for giving him false hope. This should never have happened.”

Whether he was Convenor of Selectors and now Head of Technical Committee, it's clear AC has no boundaries in ZC, and had a motive to try and ostracise makoni via Colatr and the SRC. Makoni gives evidence of this: “It is important to note that the issue is not about Givemore Makoni. Its’ about respecting the position of the national convenor. Am sure you will agree with me that when you were national convenor, everybody respected the team that you selected (and) even those that were not happy with the teams still respected your position. Since my appointment as national convenor, all the teams that we have selected have been questioned, changed and rejected by the coach supported by people like yourself”

HARARE - Underfire Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) convenor of selectors Givemore Makoni has had bitter clashes with cricket stakeholders, including Alistair Campbell over Vusi Sibanda’s selection for a New Zealand tour, documents show.

This comes as the Southern Rocks top official has been sucked into an alleged racism row with Education minister David Coltart over the latter’s proposed changes for national sporting teams’ selection criteria or mechanisms targeted at cricket, and other minority disciplines.

In e-mail communication seen by the Daily News yesterday, Makoni and his predecessor have not only sparred over Sibanda’s inclusion on the Auckland tour last year, but also sharply differed over other ideological issues.

While Campbell has used his position as head of an influential ZC technical committee to “barrack” Makoni over his decisions, the Masvingo-based executive has also shot back at the ex-national team captain with equally powerful political barbs.

“I am stunned by the sheer arrogance and total disregard for due process displayed in this email. Your first line ‘NOTIFYING ME’ as opposed to engaging me sums up your lack of respect, for not only me but for all the men of stature that make up the cricket committee,” read a January 10 dispatch from Campbell.

“The committee met prior to the New Zealand tour and decided that as Vusi was leaving he should not be available for selection for that tour. Today, you release a side containing Vusi. This is in total contempt of the decision handed down to you by the Cricket Committee,” it added.

Although the ex-top order batsman claims “nobody was in dispute” with Sibanda’s contributions to the national game, he bases his decision and strong recommendation for the exclusion of the Midwest Rhinos star on the grounds that the player had opted to play in Australia.

“…we cannot allow his actions to become a precedent. The player was informed of the consequences of his actions.

“The bottom line Givemore is that you are ostracising yourself from your peers. At a time when we need to be on the same page, you wish to be on a different one. I was called to mediate in your last selection meeting,” Campbell thundered.

“The committee’s decision is final. An apology for what has transpired is due to its members. Personally, meet Vusi and along with the coach, apologise for giving him false hope. This should never have happened,” he said.

But in his spirited response to Campbell’s arrogance and insubordination charges, Makoni said: “I acknowledge receipt of your mail and would like to apologise to you, and your committee if my e-mail to you was a sign of arrogance and disrespect. That was not my intention and I did not know that your feelings on Vusi missing one Logan Cup game and one one-day game were that strong. However my feelings on your decision to exclude Vusi remain unchanged,” he added.

“I believe Vusi is being treated unfair and it’s not good for cricket. Why is it that other players are allowed to go and play outside country, miss domestic games and still be eligible for selection,” Makoni says in a January 11 salvo to Campbell.

“It is important to note that the issue is not about Givemore Makoni. Its’ about respecting the position of the national convenor. Am sure you will agree with me that when you were national convenor, everybody respected the team that you selected (and) even those that were not happy with the teams still respected your position.”

“Since my appointment as national convenor, all the teams that we have selected have been questioned, changed and rejected by the coach supported by people like yourself,” the distressed former cricketer said.

Earlier, the pugnacious administrator had based his decision to include Sibanda on the New Zealand tour on the grounds that the opening batsman had played a majority of domestic games and only missed “one Logan Cup game, a one-day game and the Stanbic T20 series”.

“Vusi is the best opener we have got and he is one of the few batsman who have consistently scored runs for the country as evidenced by his stats in the past three series were (sic) he scored total of 272 runs at an average of 45,33 in Test matches and a total 412 runs at an average of 37.45 in ODIs. This shows that it is in the best interest of the country to include Vusi on this tour,” Makoni said in a January 10 e-mail.

“Like I highlighted in my previous correspondence, the policy recommended to the board by Cricket Committee is the way to go, but it is it timing that l am in disagreement with. I believe such kind of policy should be included in player’s contracts from the onset, so that players are aware of the policy when they sign their contracts,” he said, adding to introduce “new policies midway through the season” would only cause confusion among players as to “which foreign tournaments, leagues or competitions they can partake in”.

“It is my understanding that our captain (Brendan Taylor) is currently playing cricket in New Zealand and he will be missing domestic fixtures that begins on the 9th of January 2012 are we then saying he should not be picked because he is not playing domestic cricket?”, Makoni said.

And as the Zimbabwean cricket saga rages on, Coltart not only stands accused of trying to restore the status quo, but also engaging in political games such as discouraging western teams including England from touring Zimbabwe, and soliciting support for ex-Australian prime minister John Howard’s rise to the International Cricket Council’s presidency.

Alistair Campbell won't survive this! Shame on you Coltart!!! I hope the Commission hangs you out to dry! Free bait for ZANU ahead of the elections - "Senator unmasks his true intentions." They must both be sweating and shi**ing their pants! Get to work guys, you need to come up with something concrete, and fast. Whatever it is, be careful it doesn't invoke the need for a commission. Something tells me Makoni and Co. have far more damaging emails and documentation up their sleeves! Judging form the silence, as I suspected, I hope keeping quiet isn't your only strategy. You should have warned Coltart that you have had documented exchanges so he knew what he was getting himself into. I wouldn't be surprised to see a picture showing AC, Grant, Heath, Viljoen, Butcher & Coltart captured on camera coming out of some place. They need to brainstorm. Can only imagine Coltart going mad - "Why didn't you tell me all of this went on in writing?"

[CrimsonAvenger]

I read Dean du Plessis' noble article in the Daily News

Interestingly, you managed to carefully quote just 2 sentences of an outstanding and balanced article. Here's the whole thing anyway...

http://www.dailynews.co.zw/article/Spor ... 7a987f9a79

HARARE - After spending four quality nights in the peaceful and tranquil surroundings of Lake Kariba, I was brought back to reality with a bone-jarring thud when I heard about the row between Senator David Coltart and chairperson of selectors Givemore Makoni.

This very unpleasant turn of events has the potential of becoming very ugly and opening old wounds that could lead to a total disruption in a sport which is already buckling under financial constraints and the lack of international fixtures.

When writing an article, I always try my very best to remain neutral and simply call it as I see it, if you’ll pardon the pun.

So instead of choosing sides, I would like to tell the reader my story and the challenges I have experienced as somebody trying to make it in the world of commentating as someone who never played cricket at any level whatsoever.

My career as a cricket commentator/analyst had always been a bit of a roller-coaster ride with a few ups and many downs which is why I eventually decided to call it a day.

The most obvious question I was always asked, and still get asked is how I am able to commentate on a match without been able to see? In fact, a very well-known journalist once called me a fake and con artist, saying the reason why I wore dark glasses was because I could see and tried to trick the public.

For the sake of causing this very well-known public figure total embarrassment and humiliation, he will remain nameless though it wouldn’t take a rocket scientist to work out who I am talking about.

These allegations were made in the infancy of my career, and very nearly caused me to quietly walk away from something I always wanted to do.

But, it did leave me asking myself the question that thousands of people no doubt asked themselves on a daily basis. That question was, what right did I have to step into a commentary box and voice my opinions when I never played the game?

I personally feel that this debate is a double-edged sword, with both parties making valid points. Though it is sad to note that the word “racist” was used yet again.

I personally faced many challenges as a commentator, and understandably so.

Think about it, who in their right mind would trust a person that has been blind from birth to describe the action on a cricket pitch to millions of viewers around the world, with the real possibility of making a monumental mistake?

And yet, there were those who believed in me and my ability and who gave me the opportunity to put my skills to the test.

These opportunities, however, were few and far between, and I was quick to discover that broadcasters were using me as a marketing tool and not because they felt I could contribute.

But I stuck to my guns in the belief that eventually the big brake would come my way and that I would finally become a full-time presenter without been asked how I commentate, or what right I had to commentate.

I would like to believe that even though I have never bowled a ball, scored a run or taken a catch at any level, I am quite capable of holding my own in a cricket conversation with any cricketer, past or present.

This is a statement that could be perceived as being arrogant, but I have the facts and ammunition to back myself if it comes to that.

Even though I feel that I may have been hard done by, I would achieve absolutely nothing by shouting my mouth off and accusing people of discriminating against me because I’m blind.

And yet, I probably had every right to do so. The perfect example would have been when Zimbabwe went on tour.

I was fortunate enough to have gone to Bangladesh with the national team back in 2009, and I will be grateful to Zimbabwe Cricket for the rest of my life for affording me such an experience.

But, that was the first and last time I was to tour with the team.

When I got back from Bangladesh, I was repeatedly told what a wonderful job I did and that the entire nation was proud of me.

And yet, when the team went on tour again, I was not included.

A number of reasons were given, one was that I was disrupting the routine of the players because they felt obliged to check up on me and make sure I was alright.

Another reason was that we needed to give the rest of the media team the opportunity to go on tour with the team. This was a fair call and I had absolutely no problem with the decision.

However, it soon became apparent that the reports and previews were inaccurate and that mistakes were made on a regular basis.

If I wanted to, I could have shouted my mouth off and accused many people of discriminating against me because of my disability. Because in my heart of hearts, I knew that I was best-equipped to deliver reliable and up-to-date reports and previews.

I could even have used the word I personally hate!!!! That word been “racist”. But I chose not to go that route.

Now we, the cricket fraternity once again find ourselves facing looming danger and disaster and it needs to be dealt with as soon as possible.

The compilation of a team of selectors is a very tricky one. Yes, the most important criteria is for each and every selector to have a vast expanse of knowledge of the sport.

But is it fair to say that people should only be a selector or commentator if they have played the game?

There are many commentators around the world who are employed by television networks simply because of their achievements on the field, but in truth, are hopelessly inadequate in the commentary box.

I believe that although we should never forget the contributions of our former players, it doesn’t always mean they automatically become good commentators or selectors.

I once had a chat with a former player-turned selector and I was shocked to discover that he was unable to identify most of the players playing for Zimbabwe A.

This was a man who we as cricket lovers placed our trust in to ensure that the correct team would be picked, and yet, he was found wanting.

And so to conclude, I would like to say that even though I was never allowed to show the world my full potential, I certainly will never lower my standards by accusing people of being racial, but at the same time, I would also never be blinded by the fact that administrators should be selected purely on the fact that they played cricket.

If that was the case, the name Dean du Plessis would never have inspired people with disabilities to believe in themselves and pursue their dreams. - Dean du Plessis, OWN CORRESPONDENT

*Daily News correspondent Dean du Plessis, who was born blind, is a renowned Zimbabwean cricket broadcaster and writer.

[CrimsonAvenger]

http://allafrica.com/stories/2013011603 ... ?viewall=1

Coltart to Consider Views

EDUCATION, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister, David Coltart, has opened a window to embrace more views to address concerns raised by stakeholders in the wake of a new directive guiding the appointing of national team selectors.

Coltart said yesterday the directive wasn't cast in stone, raising the possibility for some panel-beating exercise, before it can be effected as policy to guide the appointment of national team selectors.

The Sports Commission had directed that, from February 1 this year, all national team selectors, in sporting disciplines that have a panel of such officials, need to have represented Zimbabwe for them to qualify for such technical portfolios.

But the directive raise a fierce storm, especially in cricket, with Zimbabwe Cricket convenor of selectors, Givemore Makoni, who didn't play for the national team during his time, suggesting that it was meant to push him out of office.

Makoni also claimed the directive had racial connotations and did not address the key issue that he was part of a generation of players whose path into the national team was blocked by a shadowy quota system that only allowed, at most, just two black players to represent Zimbabwe.

Iconic Zimbabwean athlete, Kirsty Coventry, said while she was fully behind Coltart, she felt there was need to open the selection to other players who might necessarily not have played the game at the highest level by representing their country.

Yesterday, Coltart paid tribute to this newspaper, for what he termed a balanced coverage of the controversy in yesterday's edition, and said he would open a window to embrace more views.

"Thank you to the Herald for your fair and balanced reporting of the National Selectors issue this morning," Coltart wrote on his Facebook page.

"I was concerned over the weekend that there would not be balance on such an emotive issue but you have done Zimbabwe proud.

"It is important that we all now move forward on this issue.

"In the interests of sport I hope that all further comment on this issue, if any, will be done by Rtd Col Charles Nhemachena and the SRC in conjunction with National Sports Associations.

"I reiterate that these directives are not written in stone and we will listen carefully to the views of all Associations to improve them.

"In particular, I have considered and am in support of Kirsty Coventry 's suggestion that a minority of selector posts be kept open for coaches or other people with technical expertise who may not have played for Zimbabwe, so long as the majority and Chair/Convenor are ex national sportspersons."

Questions had, inevitably, been asked about how a person like Steve Mangongo, who is set to replace his boss, Alan Butcher, as Zimbabwe cricket team coach in April, could be deemed good enough to take full charge of the senior team but not qualified enough to be a selector.

Englishman Butcher is not seeking an extension of his contract, when it ends, saying he now needs time to be with his wife and family back home.

Mangongo has been Butcher's lieutenant, the assistant coach, in a coaching set-up that also has a bowling coach, Heath Streak, and a batting coach, Grant Flower.

Mangongo's seniority would certainly brighten his chances of landing the big job.

But there was a problem.

The new directive issued by the Sports Commission, for national team selectors to have played for Zimbabwe, meant that while Mangongo was qualified to be the next national coach, he wasn't qualified to be a selector.

In Zimbabwe Cricket, the national coach becomes one of the selectors, and the current three-man panel features Givemore Makoni (convenor), Wayne James and national coach Butcher.

James made four Test and 11 ODI appearances for Zimbabwe in the late '80s and early '90s as a batsman and also kept wicket for the national tea.

While Butcher will qualify to retain his place on the selectors' panel, because he played one Test for England, Mangongo wouldn't, in the event that he replaced the Englishman as coach. If there is a case that exposed the weaknesses of the Sports Commission's directive, then it has to be Mangongo's case.

[hhm]

CrimsonAvenger I left out quoting both articles extensively. Dean is neither a(current or past) ZC administrator, nor a player. His first hand views, however balanced, are as valuable as Nick Compton's diaries on Zimbabwe cricket. They carry little weight towards anything as far as influencing things to do with the current issue(the multitude of County players or even English Coach have never softened England's stance, thanks in part to Coltart). I also did not jump at his agreement that playing the game be a prerequisite to qualifying for certain roles, so it's not one of my quotes. As far as his feelings on racism and being dropped are concerned, ZC are actually kinder than I would ever be. I would never entrust a blind employee with attending a conference or an exhibition on behalf of the company! Makovah has loads of inside info that would be admisible in a Commision dealing with Coltart & AC's abuse of power and racism. I only pointed out what was relevant.

Coltart said yesterday the directive wasn't cast in stone, raising the possibility for some panel-beating exercise, before it can be effected as policy to guide the appointment of national team selector "In the interests of sport I hope that all further comment on this issue, if any, will be done by Rtd Col Charles Nhemachena and the SRC in conjunction with National Sports Associations. I reiterate that these directives are not written in stone and we will listen carefully to the views of all Associations to improve them.

Are you mad Coltart. Just as I thought, back-tracking, and saying it's not cast in stone so that Nhemachena can face the music. The following contained in the directive sounds very much cast in stone where I'm concerned:

1.1 With effect from 1 February 2013, all national sport associations whose national team selection is conducted by national selectors shall ensure that such selectors have the requisite experience and skills. In particular, no person shall be appointed as a selector unless they have represented Zimbabwe in the particular sport.

Who are you trying to fool Senator? Is it with effect or is it not. Doesn't the clause with effect from signify finality. What type of lawyer are you, a two faced dimwit, who thinks he's addressing idiots? Have you never heard of the word 'DRAFT'? He's trying to remove himself from the equation. Afterall, he's the one who put this before the SRC and now is trying to run away from being accountable to his faults! Don't be fooled Nhemachena. He put you up to it, let him be the direct line of fire. Who's words were these by the way:

Accordingly last year I wrote to the SRC informing it of my proposed direction and seeking its views in terms of the SRC Act. My thinking was that if the appointment of national selectors was confined to those who had actually played their respective sport at international level it would better ensure that selectors were adequately qualified to do the job, that the appointment of selectors would be done on a more objective basis and that players were more likely to respect decisions taken by people who had already achieved internationally in that discipline. A wide cross section of Zimbabwean sportspersons have told me in the last few years that playing at international level involves a considerable leap in physical and mental expertise which is best understood and appreciated by sportspersons who have experienced that themselves. The same sportspersons have advised me that national players are far more likely to respect and accept hard selection decisions made by people who have achieved themselves at the highest level. The matter was duly considered by the SRC and it concurred with the proposals, and as a result the directive was issued by the Director General this week.

I have noted with regret the highly intemperate and defamatory statements issued in response to the the directive this week by the erstwhile convener of selectors of Zimbabwe Cricket, Mr Givemore Makoni, claiming, inter alia, that the directive has some racist motive. Whilst I understand Mr Makoni’s distress at losing his job he would have been better advised to take to take a leaf out of Dale Carnegie’s book regarding how to make friends and influence people. His abusive remarks are not only unnecessary but ironically the remarks themselves bring into question his suitability for holding such an important national position. I note that Mr Makoni remains manager of the Rocks franchise so his services to cricket will not be lost.

Instigated by Coltart. He even infers Makoni's losing his job, but not completely since he will continue at the Rocks. Consideration has already taken place. If as you say Coltart, it's not final and further consultation still outstanding, then why was a DIRECTIVE issued?

Don't allow him to get away, and don't accept any agreements Makoni. Push on until him and AC are exposed for what they are! The 1st of February is a fortnight away. Demand that they either rescind the entire directive or enforce it openly! be sure to leak the the letter. Of course you will resist any attempts to enforce it, so that the motives can be contested appropriately!

[hhm]

It would have been more appropriate for Coltart)and the SRC) to have said "This is a directive merely stating how we feel the Sports Associations should operate. It is not binding, and the associations are welcome to adapt this directive, or the method of its implementation, according to their unique structures. There are no prescribed deadlines within which to achieve it. As an association you're welcome to define these time-frames according to your circumstances."

10 years from now we WILL have a pool of cricketers from which to pick coaches, chairmen, selectors and administrators!

[Trevor]

At least Coltart is willing to back down for the GREATER good of the sport...that to me is a mark of a great man.

If you stick to your guns with no compromise in tone, Cricket is the one that will suffer.

[FlowerPower]

A commission is exactly what ZC needs. Independent and ruthless. Playesr, Admin. Past players. And I will say it if cricket has to DIE before it can get up then so be it. Else this will just come up again after 5 years again and will just become a cycle.

I really couldn't believe that GF, AC, HS would come back to ZC without some serious trade offs. You couldnt sell me that 'love of cricket' pie for $Z1! And sure enough it became evident. AC and Bvute running a company together who would have thought? Love of cricket? year right!

is that whatever agreement/deal/trade-off Bvute and AC initially came to it was only a truce, not a full-scale peace agreement.

Thats why we need a commission to bury the past forever at the moment people just packed the case in suitcases at the back of the cribs and waited for a rainy day and that rainy day has come for Makoni. Am sure all of them have their suitcases shut up somewhere waiting for that rainy day. I say lets officially call for that rainy day and everyone bring out their suitcases and empty them in front of a commission. There will be casualties, and the players will suffer, but i think its better that this issue is resolved once and for all.

or Streak sabotaging Matsi are just points mentioned to add weight to the writer's opinion.

I once said that Streak was dissappointed by Mupariwa being the fastest to 50 wickets and he couldn't stomach the idea of a 'trundler' holding that record.Initially i thought it was streak's record that had been broken. Anyway my point being i wouldn't give this a second thought but from what I have heard about streak, not surprising anymore. One day it may come out what he had to say about Querl, and you will see he's not such a knight who has the players/game at heart.

Bayhaus, I suspect this is an error on your part, the quote you attribute to me aren't mine please take care I would hate to lose the great respect I genuinely have for you as a fellow debater if this was a deliberate slip....that aside a commission I think would clear the air if done and done very well with the right motive and fair and clear guidelines with the ultimate aim of not short term grudge matches but ridding the game of all this drivel...

[bayhaus]

I can see everything is being done to prevent this saga reaching the international media, or should I say they are avoiding running it. They know what it means. I will post a twist from one of the white reporters here as soon as they have no choice but to write something on it. If you though Goebbels or Jono were spin-doctors, you haven't seen anything! Watch this space. I'm glad the likes of Martin Williamson exhausted just about anything and everything from the Peter Chingokas and Bvutes years ago, and the public - domestic and international have digested it. Any efforts to regurgitate it will fall on deaf ears!

I saw this article on de Kock and was like these guys are not for real. There is a real story in Zimbabwe and this is making headlines? Shows you that they are trying to avoid. Firdose said she is dealing with the SA vs NZ then she will get onto this... Will see how that goes.