Zimbabwe government denies interference in cricket

Zimbabwe sports minister Kirsty Coventry on Friday has denied any sort of interference in cricket’s governance from the part of the government.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday, suspended Zimbabwe with immediate effect on account of political intervention.

Zimbabwe’s Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) had suspended Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) board in June and formed an interim committee to manage cricketing affairs in the country. Such decisions, however, hastened ICC to impose the suspension.

Coventry, a former Olympic swimming champion, said she was “devastated” hearing the ICC’s decision regarding Zimbabwe cricket and strongly denied any political interference.

She further said that although the SRC was appointed by the sports minister, “SRC is not government –- they are a public body.”

“There is need for good governance at ZC for the international success we all want to see,” she added.

All-rounder Sikandar Raza, who bid adieu to international cricket following the suspension, delivered a pathetic statement regarding the situation of Zimbabwe cricketers at present.

He said, “How one decision has made so many people unemployed… how one decision has ended so many careers. Certainly not how I wanted to say goodbye to international cricket.”

There has been no Government Interference @ICC !!! https://t.co/zzEsfuOgQh

— Kirsty Coventry (@KirstyCoventry) July 18, 2019

I am devastated that the @ICC ruling has affected our @ZimCricketv Players.

There is need for good governance at ZC for the international success we all want to see. Any decisions towards that should never affect the Players.

— Kirsty Coventry (@KirstyCoventry) July 19, 2019

Minister of Sport elects SRC board (ICC do not see this as Gvt interference). SRC is not Government – they are a Public Body.

— Kirsty Coventry (@KirstyCoventry) July 19, 2019

I am meeting with both Mens and Ladies Captains today. #Urgent

— Kirsty Coventry (@KirstyCoventry) July 19, 2019