Statement by the Zimbabwe Professional Cricketers' Association

ZPCA wish to make the following public statement in response to that made by Brigadier Mashingaedze on behalf of the Sport and Recreation Commission at a Press Conference on 6th instant:

ZPCA thanks the SRC for identifying the pressing issue of "Player welfare" adverted to by Brigadier Mashingaedze and welcomes his undertaking that the Interim Committee appointed by the SRC will address the issues of player contracts and outstanding match fees by 31 January 2006. In both cases these matters have been outstanding for more than 4 months, thus we are heartened by the SRC initiative to resolve these matters and we are prepared to await the developments indicated by the January 31.

ZPCA unequivocally states its commitment to the preservation of Zimbabwe's Test status at all costs. We will do all in our power as players to preserve our proud position as a member of the small and select band of Test cricket countries. We deeply respect the work done by many proud servants of the game in Zimbabwe to win us Test status 13 years ago. We cherish Zimbabwe's proud heritage as Test nation. Furthermore, Test cricket represents the pinnacle of a player's ambitions and it would be meaningless to play cricket without the chance to play Tests against the other Test playing nations. Test cricket represents the financial life blood of the game in this country and without Test cricket, it is not possible to play cricket as a professional career or to support the necessary structures for cricket nationally.

Playing professional cricket for Zimbabwe remains our aspiration and desire, we are patriotic Zimbabweans who do not want to leave the game or leave Zimbabwe to play for or represent other countries, all we ask for is a cricket dispensation which makes policy and decisions based on what is in the best interests of the game both nationally and internationally so that we may do our best to represent our country with pride and distinction.

ZPCA Executive
Harare
7 January 2005