These are unprecedented times in local rugby.
Four prominent candidates are running for the presidency in tomorrow’s Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU) elections at the National Sports Stadium.
Incumbent Aaron Jani is also running, hoping to convince voters that his past tenure was good enough to warrant him taking power again.
Outgoing vice-president Rosson Mutongwiza is among the challengers, vowing to turn rugby into a fortress.
Former Sables star Gerald Sibanda is also hoping to refresh the team with some new ideas.
But for former coach Gilbert Nyamtsamba, leadership is as good as his “people management” skills in coaching, which is why he is determined to fight for bigger positions.
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Mutongwiza is campaigning on a five-point manifesto that focuses on development, governance, public administration, infrastructure and high performance.
“Basically it (the campaign) is going well. I have been able to speak to everyone who I think is important in the election. I have presented a five-point policy to the electorate and the five-point policy is about development, governance, administration, infrastructure and good performance,” Mutongwiza told Independent Sports.
“The significance of this document is that at the end of my four-year term, I want to be known for some characteristics. For example, ZRU has not had its own office or premises in Harare since the late 1990s.
“So we look forward to securing the land on a long-term lease and then developing it into a ground and ZRU offices and certainly having dining facilities.”
“We also want to make sure we have a gym, assuming we’re going to play eight to 12 games a year.”
“We are going to make sure we qualify for the Nations Cup as the top African team and the second best team in Africa. Qualifying for the Nations Cup will give us the chance to play home and away matches in the run up to the 2027 World Cup,” Mutongwiza added.
The chairman of Old Haralians Rugby Sports Club also spoke passionately about governance.
“In terms of governance, as I’m sure you are aware, there have been some complaints, particularly around women. Equality is one of the key things I want to focus on,” Mutongwiza said.
“We developed a gender and equality policy last year, but the policy is just a document at the moment. No one is talking about it.”
“This is something that I promoted and that we developed when I was acting president for two months last year. I’m going to revise the constitution and make sure it’s constitutional.”
“There is also financial consolidation. The finances have not been consolidated for a long time. I am talking about the pillars of rugby – Sables, Cheetahs, Women, U20 and Schools. These need to be consolidated and audited,” he added.
Mutongwiza added: “One of the things I’m looking forward to is engaging a commercial equity partner and hopefully closing a commercial equity transaction.”
He said this was to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of rugby in Zimbabwe.
“We want to ensure that we have affordable replica uniforms. This is something that is being done all over the world outside Zimbabwe. We have just been watching from the sidelines and every year we have had problems. Our experience in the game will teach us how to deal with this issue,” Mutongwiza said.
Sibanda, a former Zimbabwean representative, is campaigning on a six-point plan, with a key focus on engaging stakeholders and giving them a say.
“Our focus is on governing and developing football in Zimbabwe and for that we all need to ensure that each sector – states, schools, referees, national teams – is managed with transparency and due diligence,” Sibanda said.
“A review of the current management processes will be conducted and an organisational chart will be provided after assessing the current structure.”
“All positions and their roles or responsibilities are documented, assessed and managed accordingly and the tools are provided to execute them.
“We will ensure that all stakeholders receive adequate support and guidance so that teams, divisions and states are self-reliant yet well-governed,” he added.
Sibanda also wants more game time for the national team and better pay for players.
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