THE International Cricket Council described yesterday as a
sad day for the game around the world after former Zimbabwe Cricket chairman,
Peter Chingoka, died in Harare.
He was 65 and is survived by wife Shirley, two children
Farai and Dambudzo, and one grandchild. Mourners are gathered at 36 Sandringham
Drive, Alexandria Park, Harare.
‘’The International Cricket Council (ICC) was today
saddened to learn of the death of Peter Chingoka,’’ the ICC said in a
statement.
‘’Chingoka had a long career as a cricket administrator,
including as the president of the Zimbabwe Cricket Union (as Zimbabwe Cricket
was called then) from 1992 to 2014, where he assumed the title of chairman in
2001 and significantly contributed to the game’s development across Africa.
‘’He also was a member of the ICC Board during that time.’’
ICC Chief executive, Manu Sawhney, said the global cricket family was mourning.
“The death of Mr Chingoka is sad news for the cricket
world. He was widely acknowledged as an important leader in cricket in Zimbabwe
and was a respected member of the ICC Board.
“It was with great sadness that we learnt of his death. On
behalf of the ICC, I would like to offer our heartfelt condolences to his
family and friends.”
Chingoka died yesterday morning at the Avenues Clinic.
According to family spokesperson, Patrick Chingoka, his
younger brother, the late administrator was in and out of hospital and suffered
from a combination of hypertension and kidney problems.
ZC chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani described him as a humble
and dedicated person
“It’s a sad day for cricket. It’s a sad day for sport. He
served over 20 years on the ZC board and served in the cricket council. He was
there when we got our Test cricket status. I served under him as vice chairman.
“We will greatly miss Peter. He was very humble and
approachable. He weathered the storm for cricket locally and internationally.
“He will be missed by many,” said Mukuhlani. The Sports and Recreation Committee also paid tribute to
Chingoka.
‘‘The Sports and Recreation Commission has received with a
deep sense of sorrow and sadness the news of the passing on of Peter Chingoka,
a revered and long-serving cricket administrator.
“Peter’s commitment to sport in general and cricket, in
particular, was unquestionable as evidenced by his immeasurable and invaluable
contribution to the growth and development of cricket.
‘‘Though Peter had retired from the active administration
of cricket, he still remained a vital cog and a repository of cricket knowledge
in the country which could be called upon to give wise counsel at any time.
“The void that Peter has left will undoubtedly be very
difficult to fill. On behalf of the Sports and Recreation Commission, we will
would like to convey our deepest sympathies and condolences to his family and
the cricket fraternity for the sad loss of a beloved one and a colleague.’’
His death comes a year after his brother Paul, a former
Tennis Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe Olympic Committee president, also passed away.
Chingoka was one of the first black Zimbabweans to
establish themselves in cricket where he started as a player and then an
administrator.
A local cricket fan, Columbus Makumbe, also offered his
condolences. “With a deep sorrow I
learnt about the death of one of the best cricket administrators in this
country.
“As a devout fan of the Chevrons, I will remember Peter
Chingoka as a highly experienced administrator, outstanding personality endowed
with unique human properties,’’ Makumbe said.
Chingoka was made honorary life president of ZC just three
months after he stepped down as chairman.
During his playing days he was a seamer and quite a handy
lower order batsman and played in the Gillette Cup knockout competition in
1975-76 and 1976-77.
One of his most notable scalps was South African legend
Barry Richards. ‘‘Peter Chingoka was the first black Zimbabwean to make his
name in cricket,’’ the authoritative Cricinfo said. Herald
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