SRC engage ZINA, Rainbow League

THE Sports Commission have begun the process of engaging the Zimbabwe Netball Association and the newly-formed Rainbow Amateur Netball League to try and bring peace between the two parties.

The splinter league is seeking to operate as an affiliate of ZINA, separate from the Super League that is run by the national association.

However, the two parties have so far failed to agree on the way forward as ZINA have some doubts about the new developments which has led to the intervention by the country’s supreme sports body. Sports Commission acting director-general, Joseph Muchechetere, yesterday confirmed meeting both parties.

“So far we have met both parties but separately. They are two parties who are not yet on speaking terms because they are pursuing different objectives.

“ZINA feel they are not being respected by this new structure which is coming up and the other part feels they also want to be involved in sport and recreation. But they have not yet clearly defined how they want to be involved in the mainstream of ZINA. So what we have done is to hear from the two different parties . . . also in the process we were able to share with them the parameters in which they both should exist,” said Muchechetere.

He said both parties have to make some compromises for the benefit of the sport.

“We were able to share how both parties should compromise their individual positions to achieve national interest and objectives. So one sport, one roof. We are basically saying that’s the future and this new structure should be part and parcel of ZINA, they should be prepared to be accommodated.

“If it’s coming into existence to add value to ZINA then it should be part and parcel of ZINA. And ZINA should open up to accommodate them. These are the things we are working on.

“In whatever they are doing they should not be involved in disrupting ZINA programmes and activities. They should be in a position to respect ZINA,” said Muchechetere.

The Sports Commission acting director-general said they should be able to finalise the issue when they meet the two parties together since they have given them time to consider their advice to work on their differences for the development of the sport. ZINA president Leticia Chipandu said they were hoping to resolve their problems following the meeting with the Sports Commission.

“Yes, we met yesterday (Monday). Things will be worked out soon. We will only talk about them (issues raised) when they have been ironed out,” said Chipandu. Rainbow Amateur Netball League spokesperson, Moses Gukurume, insisted there were no hidden motives behind the formation of the league.

Last weekend, the new league staged a highly successful tournament in Bulawayo where the league was officially launched.