YOUTH, Sport, Arts and Recreation Minister, Kirsty
Coventry, has demanded that national sports associations account for funding
they receive from international associations following suspected abuse that has
crippled sport development.
Disgusted by bad governance, particularly at Zifa and
Zimbabwe Cricket, Coventry said when sporting associations failed in their
operations, they are quick to seek rescue packages from the Government, but cry
interference when Government enforces accountability.
Last Sunday, Zimbabwe were embarrassingly walked over at
home by Zambia in a Women’s Olympic Qualifier after the Mighty Warriors
withdraw from camp hours before kick-off.
Coventry expressed disgust at the behaviour of Zifa
chairman, Felton Kamambo, who she has summoned to explain the Mighty Warriors’
debacle.
Kamambo and his board have reportedly been dodging the
Sports and Recreation Commission, which asked for a report on how Zifa used
funds secured from the Government, Fifa and Caf for the June Afcon finals in
Egypt.
However, Zifa is now seeking Government assistance to
enable the Warriors to travel to Djibouti for tomorrow’s World Cup qualifier
against Somalia.
Tweeting on her official page yesterday, Coventry said: “I
asked the Zifa chair for a meeting to discuss the women’s qualifying debacle on
Sunday; he proceeded to ask government for money for the men’s team to travel
tomorrow. I have had enough of women’s sport not being taken seriously in
Zimbabwe. #EqualityInSport #WomenInSport,” tweeted Coventry.
“Government took on #ZimCricket debt but told not to
interfere. #Zifa once again ask for more money but government told not to
interfere. This is taxpayers’ money you are ‘playing’ with. Both these
associations get huge amounts of money from their international federations,
where is it?
“Asking for money alone is not asking for help. You need
help in restructuring everything from the ground up and I have been willing and
ready (from the beginning) to work with @CAF_Online and @FIFAcom and @ICC and
any other organisation to make Zimbabwe a sporting powerhouse,” she concluded.
Coventry wants these international sporting bodies to take
an active role in helping weed out corrupt elements and set up structures that
will ensure sport develops in Zimbabwe. Herald
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