Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
HARARE Athletic Board hold their elective annual general meeting tomorrow at the National Sports Stadium with the clubs set to vote for a new executive that will run the province’s affairs for the next four years.
All posts – from the chairperson, vice chairperson, secretary-general, vice secretary-general, treasurer, women’s chair, officials’ coordinator, coaches’ coordinator and two committee members are up for grabs.
The candidates are nominated by the clubs affiliated to HAB.
It’s a two-horse race for the chairperson post between incumbent Cousinet Simunyu and former secretary-general Silas Muringani.
Muringani confirmed he is contesting for the top post and is looking at development for the province among other issues.
“My vision is to look at development for the province in terms of athletics needs.
“Consideration should also be given to asset acquisition for the board. Such assets include electronic management systems for both road and track events,” said Muringani.
“However, the election will happen against a background of an unlevel playing field which currently favours the incumbent.
“According to the road map the list of nominees should have been unveiled to the nominees and clubs but I only learnt of some of the nominees through the press yesterday (Thursday).
“This should have been communicated on Monday soon after the close of nomination,” Muringani said.
The nominations closed last Sunday.
Outgoing secretary general Sledge Chinyoka, however, said they have communicated with the nominees.
“After the closing of nominations on the 15th as scheduled on the roadmap, the returning officer subsequently came and verified all the nomination forms and there were no forms that were invalidated.
“And also, after that the nominees were advised that they have been nominated. Some have withdrawn their nominations for various posts and continuously we are having people that are not keen in participating in the elections.
“So far we have two elections that are will not transpire on the day, that is the vice chairperson and the treasurer,” said Chinyoka.
Aaron Whyte and Tsitsi Nhedziwa are set to retain their posts – vice chairperson and treasurer, respectively, after the other nominees for the two posts withdrew.
Chinyoka, Martha Mashayamanda and Kimberly Chigwedere are set to contest for the secretary-general’s post.
Manyanga, Chinyoka, Mashayamanda, Chigwedere, Claris Gwata and Neria Tembo are the nominees for the vice secretary general’s post.
Mashayamanda has also been nominated for the women’s chair post together with Farisai Tapera and Lutah Chari.
Collen Jimu, Taurai Magaya and Manyanga, are expected to run for the officials’ coordinator post while Collen Makaza and Mavhuto Tumba are the two nominees for the coaches’ coordinator post.
There are also 13 nominees for the two committee member posts.
Besides the elections, the meeting will also see the presentation of the chairperson’s annual report and fixing of the annual affiliation fees for the ensuing year.
leeroy mupariri
