Elijah Zvimba, the ousted Zimbabwe Professional Cricketers Association (ZPCA) chief executive, has wished the best of luck to Zimbabwe cricketers as he moves after only a year in office.
The Labour lawyer was relieved of his duties this week with Zimbabwe Cricket media officer Prosper Tsvanhu circulating a press on behalf of ZPCA using the official ZC email account.
Zvimba, who has a well-documented love and hate relationship with ZC, alleged that he was a victim of circumstances as some senior members of the ZPCA executive acted in a selfish manner.
Hamilton Masakadza heads the board as its president, Brendan Taylor is the vice president, Vusi Sibanda is the board’s secretary and is deputised by Prosper Utseya while Elton Chigumbura is the treasurer.
Zvimba lashed out at the claims that he was in an “unholy union” with the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (Fica).
“As Zimbabwe Professional Cricketers Association’s Chief Executive Officer I am accused of an “unholy alliance” with Federation of International Cricket Association,” Zvimba told the Daily News yesterday.
“This is bizarre and akin to saying ‘Zimbabwe Cricket has an unholy alliance with the ICC’ which is of course absurd.
“Fica is the umbrella body for all legitimate Player Associations in international Cricket and is supported (both financially and morally) by the vast majority of players from the Test Nations.
“Fica’s agenda is the players’ agenda.”
Zvimba maintained that he was being victimised by ZC for championing matters related with the players’ welfare.
He said ZC had struck a pact with some senior players to oust him for selfish gains at the expense of the generality of cricket players in the country.
“I believe what has happened to me is a result of a bargain struck between certain players and influential advisors to ZC who felt I was too successful on the players’ behalf,” he said.
“They have done personal deals to the detriment of and in betrayal of their colleagues, but, again, that is a matter for them to explain and justify to their fellow ZPCA members.
“Whether the constitution was adhered to and the resolution was made with a full board and player’s consensus remains a mystery.
“I fear the good work done last year with the support of Fica will now come to nothing, but I hope I’m wrong and I wish Zimbabwe’s wonderful cricketers all the best for the future.
“My commitment to this role has been questioned, but I am satisfied that I went above and beyond what I was contracted to do and my conscience is clear.
“I was learning on the job and undoubtedly made some mistakes, but I am proud of what I achieved for the players.
“Firing me just before a vital stage in negotiation of a Memorandum of Understanding with ZC cut the good work off at the knees, but that is, I suspect, why it was done.
“That was the bargain made between certain senior players and influential Board ‘advisors’.” – Daily News