The Sunday Mail
THE late Paul Chingoka “got the job done and knew how to keep his players happy”.
These are some of the tributes that have been pouring in for the late veteran sports administrator who passed on last Friday at the age of 66.
Chingoka will be buried tomorrow afternoon (1pm) at Warren Hills Cemetery.
Zimbabwe tennis greats Bryon and Wayne Black, who flourished under the Chingoka’s administration in the late 1990s and early 2000s, described the late administrator as ‘a fine diplomat’.
“Paul was an outstanding representative for Zimbabwe tennis,” said Wayne and Byron Black in a joint statement.
“He knew how to get things done off the court while keeping his players happy on the court.
“We had a great understanding of each other and he was a fine diplomat in the tennis arena.
“We shared many memories travelling the world where we placed Zimbabwe on the map, and he was the ambassador for all of us.
“He will be remembered in the tennis community and our hearts forever,” read the statement.
Chingoka’s brother, Peter, who is a former Zimbabwe Cricket chairman, described his late sibling as a strong family man.
“He had been in hospital for the past few weeks … Mourners are gathered at No. 5 Gosham Avenue in Borrowdale,” he said.
“I can describe him as a strong family man who also dedicated his life to sport, especially the development of tennis when he was with Tennis Zimbabwe,” said Peter Chingoka.
“We will have a church service on Monday at St Gerard’s Catholic Church in Greystone Park, followed by the burial at Warren Hills at 1pm,” he added.
Chingoka served 14 years as TZ president and during his tenure, the sport reached great heights in the Davis Cup, including reaching the World Group quarter-finals in 1998.
Incumbent Davis Cup captain Gwinyai Tongoona also paid tribute to the late Chingoka.
“My condolences to the Chingoka family.
“We must not forget the work Mr Chingoka did during his time for tennis in Zimbabwe, may he rest in peace,” said Tongoona.
From Tennis Zimbabwe, Chingoka had a stint as the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee president from 2004 to 2006.
Admire Masenda, the current ZOC leader, remembers being with Chingoka as Kirsty Coventry made history.
“As the Zimbabwe Olympic family, we are truly saddened by this great loss.
“I remember him standing and supporting Kirsty as she brought back the three medals won in Athens.
“Mukoma Paul will also be remembered for taking Zimbabwe Tennis to dizzy heights during the 90s in the Davis Cup.
“It must always be remembered that talent requires the right leadership to achieve its full potential, and he brought such leadership to sport.
“We will hold onto many fond memories of him. I am also encouraged with how he has inspired his son Gwinyai, who is following in his footsteps in sport administration,” Masenda said.
Another sport administrator, Titus Zvomunya, who was Chingoka’s close friend, said this on his Facebook account: “Oh Paul Chingoka my great friend. Why did you decide to leave the world so soon and unexpectedly?
“I will forever cherish the great moments we had since 1994 when I first knew you on a person to person basis.
“And the great support you gave me when I was Sports Director at UZ for 10 years. It was you who invited me to join the ZOC Board after a lot of persuasion from you.
“And the great moments we shared when you would visit my office at Zimbabwe Cricket. The Lord always takes the best. Mwari akunyaradzeyi mhuri yekwaChingoka.
The Sports and Recreation Commission were among those that paid tribute to the late great administrator:
“The entire sporting community will remember him for his sterling work which he did in tennis, the Olympic Committee and sport in general.
“It was during his era that Zimbabwe scaled to dizzy heights in tennis development and even elite levels,” read a statement.
