ZRU commit to honour Sables
SABLES skipper Hilton Mudariki is optimistic the Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU) will soon clear some of the players outstanding salaries and ensure they are primed for their next international assignments.
Mudariki and his troops were in France in July for the Africa Cup, where they lost their bid for a place at the 2023 World Cup.
Instead, it is their nemesis, Namibia, who qualified ahead of them.
Earlier, the Sables had spent three months in Cape Town, South Africa, for the Currie Cup, which was key to their preparations for the Africa Cup.
This year’s Africa Cup was also serving as the final qualifier for the World Cup, and Zimbabwe’s hopes were dashed when Mudariki and his men were handed a 34-19 defeat by Namibia in the semi-final.
Mudariki, while acknowledging the financial strain that the Currie Cup and the Africa Cup had on ZRU’s resources, is hopeful the union will secure additional funding to clear some of the salaries and allowances from the two competitions.
The Sables took an enlarged squad of nearly 50 men for the Currie Cup before coach Brendan Dawson trimmed it to 24 just before departure for France for the Africa Cup.
“Yes, we are owed by the union and they have been telling us that they are making a plan. They have been giving weekly updates in terms of where the money is at,’’ Mudariki said.
“They (ZRU) have been speaking to a few people and the Government to help out as well.
“It is very frustrating obviously because it a month and a bit since we came back from the tour, and we are still waiting for our salaries … we are just hoping that everything will be sorted out as soon as possible.”
Mudariki insists that despite their failure to secure a place at the World Cup, the Sables had helped the national game make some progress.
“We did really well despite not qualifying, and I think there is a lot of good that came out of this tour ...
“So we are just hoping everything will be sorted out as soon as possible so that Zimbabwean rugby can continue in the right direction …”
Sables Trust chairperson Colleen de Jong
said their plans were disrupted by unanticipated increases in airfares and accommodation, as well as contingency funds necessary due to ticket changes and reissues to cover sudden payments, injury call-ups, unexpected temporary movements from camp, among other factors.
“All of those were unbudgeted and unforeseen.
“In addition, costs associated with the successful game played against Netherlands (away), which was necessary for the
preparations for Africa Cup, had not been included in the original budget,’’ De Jong said.
Some of the sponsors who pledged to assist the Sables pulled out when the team didn’t make it to the World Cup.
“Our failure to qualify had a direct effect on promises and expectations for additional sponsorship and partnerships not materialising.
“Added to this, factors relating to a worldwide and local economic downturn as well
as donor fatigue have contributed to the shortfall,” he said.
“We are fully committed to meeting these outstanding obligations and remain fully engaged in this matter in an effort to regularise the situation as soon as possible.
“We are also grateful for the commitment of our partners and sponsors who have been so generous, and to the team management and the players who all committed to participating and honouring the Sables and the nation.”