BMRFB chairman gives up fight against ZRU

BULAWAYO Metropolitan Rugby Football Board (BMRFB) departing chairman, Craig Change has given up his fight against Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU)’s decision to dissolve his executive, which should pave way for the appointment of an interim leadership of the organisation.

ZRU president, Aaron Jani stated that an agreement had been reached with the removed BMRFB leadership pertaining to the implementation of the resolution to dissolve the provincial board. The ZRU board last month resolved to dismiss the BMRFB due to squabbles that have affected the growth of the sport in the country’s second largest city.

“We had discussions with the Bulawayo Metro board, we communicated with the outgoing chairman, there were areas they were concerned about concerning the implementation of the board resolution. They felt they were not given ample opportunity to respond to the allegations, air some of their grievances,’’ Jani said.

Initially Change and the rest of the elected officials challenged the ZRU decision but after engagements, they have all agreed to step aside to allow for an interim committee to take over.

“They have agreed to comply with the resolution but they did highlight some issues that they were not happy with in terms of the implementation. We agreed that rugby was bigger than all of us and for us to go forward we have to accept the decision of the ZRU board,’’ said Jani.

Early last week, ZRU chief executive officer Sifiso Made wrote to Change advising him that the union’s legal department was in the process of preparing a comprehensive response to issues he wanted clarity on. Made went on to inform Change to stop holding meetings.

“Please be advised that your letter to the union does not give you the right to continue in office and is violation of the ZRU board resolution. I strongly advise that you discontinue all rugby activities as the ZRU board resolution,’’ read Made’s letter to Change.

Ye s t e r d a y , Change said ZRU and his board will be issuing out a joint press statement. Jani made it clear that the board resolution was not aimed at Change or his board since the chaos in Bulawayo has been going on for too long.

“This was not targeted at Craig or his board, the instability has been going on for a long time. The deterioration in the quality of the rugby coming out of Bulawayo Metro, that was worrying the board.”

ZRU are expected to announce an interim committee to run the affairs of BMRFB with the maximum mandate of the temporary board being 24 months.

@Mdawini_29