Zina ‘abandons injured players’
THE Zimbabwe Netball Association (Zina) has been accused of abandoning players who get injured while on national duty.
It has also emerged that the association does not give the players allowances as well.
Parents of the girls and club coaches said they were concerned about the lack of care from the national association despite their children or players representing the nation with distinction whenever called up.
“It’s not right really that our children are only good and needed when on that court but once they get injured those that would have called them turn a blind eye and expect us as parents to meet the medical costs. Some of these injuries require a lot of money that we end up selling personal property to offset those bills,” said a parent who requested anonymity lest the child could be victimised by the authorities.
Another parent said it was better for their children to play for clubs, especially the uniformed services because they eventually get employed and are able to then meet their own expenses when injured, even though it’s still not proper.
A coach who also requested anonymity for the same reasons said: “Besides the players not getting any allowances for representing their country, the national association does absolutely nothing when a player gets injured. It’s better for those who are employed but it’s not every talented player who is employed.”
Longstanding Zina president Letticia Chipandu did not respond to questions sent to her from Monday while her mobile phone was not going through.
The netball association is part of the 29 national sports associations which were found to be partially compliant with the SRC Act during a sports associations’ presidents’ indaba called by the SRC last Saturday.
The associations were, in terms of the Act supposed to provide minutes of the previous annual general meeting, 2016 annual report, audited financial statements as well as annual membership and sportsman levy. They are also expected to provide the SRC with their 2017 projected budget and calendar of events.
The Zimbabwe senior netball squad came a commendable third in the African championship held in Uganda in June after getting six points from their five games. — @skhumoyo2000.