The Sunday Mail
THE Zimbabwe Karate Union, one of the most powerful sporting bodies in the country, has steadfastly resisted recent calls by a leading parliamentarian to dissolve the Sport and Recreation Commission.
Joe Rugwete, who is ZKU president and also secretary-general of the Zone Six Karate Confederation, has come out guns blazing at Hurungwe West legislator Temba Mliswa after the chairperson of the Sport, Arts and Culture parliamentary portfolio committee suggested that SRC be dissolved at a recent round-table radio discussion that focused on sport development.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail, Rugwete said such ‘miscalculated actions’ would not be in the interest of furthering sport.
Karate has risen to national prominence in recent years, with kyokushin exponent Samson Muripo crowned world champion in Osaka, Japan in 2011 and the national team coming second at last year’s Southern African karate championships in Walvis Bay, Namibia.
Rugwete, an international karate umpire, sees nothing amiss with the current SRC board, which is led by Bulawayo lawyer Joseph James and includes Edward Siwela, Jessimine Nyakatawa, Obediah T Moyo, Farai Kanyangarara, David Ellman-Brown, Aisha Tsimba and Miriam Mushayi.
“I refer to public recommendations made by the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee responsible for sport among other issues, Hon Temba Mliswa who suggested on radio disbanding the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) Board and banning sport for a period of up to five years,’’ he began.
“As a sports administrator, I am very concerned by the suggestion made apparently to improve our failing sport, especially coming from an influential person who makes direct recommendations to Parliament.
“No offence to my good fitness trainer, who coached me briefly at Chinhoyi High School 22 years ago, but I honestly don’t see how disbanding the SRC and banning sport would be an answer to the current problems bedevilling Zimbabwe sport.
“The argument was that the SRC oversees the National Sports Associations (NSAs) and the NSAs have failed to perform well at international competitions. There was also talk that people running the SRC are not competent sports persons. It’s not for me to comment on the composition of the board as I am aware that the responsible Minister (in consultation with the President) appoints members on the basis of their ability and experience in sport or administration or both or for their suitability otherwise.’’
Rugwete said some of the legal obligations of the SRC are to advise the Government of the needs of sport and recreation; to co-ordinate, control, develop and foster the activities of sport and recreation; and to promote the highest standards of sportsmanship.
“If the SRC is failing to perform its legal duties, then yes we need to make such recommendations. But before that we need to ask ourselves a pertinent question. Is the SRC doing everything reasonable and necessary with the resources that it has? Are our soldiers going to battle armed or unarmed?
“While comparing ourselves against what others are doing is often undesirable, at this moment I can’t avoid looking at what other successful sporting nations are doing with their Sports Councils. I know for a fact that in South Africa, Zambia and in Botswana; SASCOC, NSCZ and BNC (their respective equivalents of the SRC) are allocated and given funds by their parent sports ministries.’’
According to the ZKU president, these funds are enough for all registered sporting disciplines in those countries to pay for international affiliations, local and international competitions, development programs and administrative costs.
The NSAs are accountable to the Sports Councils and the Sports Councils are in turn accountable to the parent Ministries, he noted, arguing that the same luxury does not occur at all in Zimbabwe.
The Zimbabwe Karate Union recently approached Government for assistance in funds to pay outstanding affiliation arrears to the World Karate Federation dating back to 1992, but was reportedly directed to the NSAs.
“Fair enough, but how does the NSA raise $1,500 for International fees, $800 for continental affiliation and $500 for regional affiliation in one year when we are struggling to collect affiliation fees from members? How do we implement talent identification programs? How do we run local tournaments? How do we train officials? How do we run the association with very few corporate friends?” quiz zed Rugwete.
The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Andrew Langa, has been previously quoted saying he would review the performance of the SRC since the board’s appointment in 2009 but has ruled out drastic action, instead advocating for patience and stakeholder support to the commission.
