Zimbabwe players' statement

A statement issued by Clive Field, chief executive of the Zimbabwe Professional Cricketers' Association

22-Dec-2005

A statement issued by Clive Field, chief executive of the Zimbabwe Professional Cricketers' Association

Despite a number of recent attempts to find a way forward with ZC regarding the various issues outstanding in the negotiations between ZPCA and ZC, I have not been able to provide ZPCA with any progress.

ZPCA have thus instructed me to issue the following public statement on their behalf:

1. ZPCA fail to comprehend how ZC can close its offices early and at short notice for its annual shutdown, when important operational issues still remain outstanding between ZPCA and ZC. To recap briefly on these:

Contractual issues

Retainer Fee - payable at the official (Interbank) Rate

Match Fees for NZ and India series- late/non payment and purported unilateral variation by ZC of agreed contractual basis for payment of match fees from USD into local currency

Non availability of vehicles and fuel for players

Governance Issues

Continued tenure of the chairman of the board, Mr. Chingoka

Continued tenure of the MD of ZC, Mr. Bvute

Non-resolution of financial questions asked of ZC by provincial chairmen, which gives rise to continued question marks over the viability of ZC and, thus, the decision to play cricket as a professional career

2. It is the opinion of ZPCA that ZC has been given a reasonable opportunity to address these issues and take steps to progress matters, and to meet its outstanding financial obligations to players. In the face of burgeoning costs and at a time when most employees in Zimbabwe are receiving their annual bonuses, the players have been overlooked by ZC and are still waiting for match fees, more than two months late.

3. Nevertheless, the players selected for the Afro-Asia Cup and SA tours have out of decency been prepared to show faith by continuing to train and prepare for those tours, despite having immediate pressing financial needs and suffering operational difficulties in sourcing fuel and transport to attend training, as well as facing the threat of imprisonment on allegations of forex irregularities.

4. In the light of the persistent and continued failure by both the Chairman and the MD of ZC to address the legitimate concerns of their players, effective immediately no player will train or avail himself for national duty. In light of the imminent tours of Bangladesh and South Africa, we suggest that the organizers need to be notified accordingly as soon as possible.

5. ZPCA very much regret the need for this step, which has been forced upon us by our circumstances.

Zimbabwe