Provincial chairmen put board under spotlight

Cricinfo has learned that Peter Chingoka, the chairman of Zimbabwe Cricket, has been sent a letter by the country's provincial chairman outlining their grievances with the way the game is being run.

The letter was a result of a meeting the chairmen held in Harare on October 21 and it outlines six areas of concern.

Financial - The chairmen query the reason for ZC reporting a loss of Z$2,394 billion (US$415,000) during the year, why the balance sheet was not signed by the chairman and vice-chairman, whether it was approved by the board, the lack of breakdowns in expenditure, especially in areas where there were massive increases, the ZC bank accounts, and about other unspecified loans made by the board.

Constitutional issues The letter raises queries about why the ZC constitution has been, they claim, repeatedly flouted, why the president's annual report, balance sheet and accounts were not circulated to each affiliated association 28 days before the AGM as required, and how Chingoka can "unconstitutionally hold his post as vice-chairman of Afro-Asia Cricket".

Business and management affairs The chairmen raised questions about the purchase of an Outside Broadcasting Van, buses, truck and trailer, the costs of running ZC cars, rumours of late payments to service providers, the massive turnover of staff, the unexplained loss of qualified staff, money paid for team-building seminars, and allegations of retainers paid to local sports writers.

Marketing Department The letter asks the board to justify this department, and also to address various staff questions and how it was financed. It also asks for clarification of reports that an employee of this department absconded with US$75,000.

Cricket Affairs The main concern centres on the Phil Simmons sacking and other rumours involving coaching staff, why the Mashonaland dispute has not been resolved, why provincial associations have no input into their staff issues, why districts have not been given the financial assistance they were allegedly promised by Chingoka and Ozias Bvute.

Player affairs The chairmen referred to the divide between board and players, and the ongoing unrest over central contracts.

The letter, which makes a number of other unsubstantiated allegations against the board, was sent to Chingoka over the weekend. To date, Zimbabwe Cricket has not responded.