Harare Athletics Board takes Naaz to task over elections

Sport
The Harare Athletics Board is crying foul over the delay to hold the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (Naaz) executive board elections.

The Harare Athletics Board (HAB) is crying foul over the delay to hold the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (Naaz) executive board elections. HAB claims the delay has disturbed plans for next year.

BY MICHAEL MADYIRA

Naaz’s election season is pegged between July 1 and October 31 of every Olympics year, but most provinces are in the dark over date of elections.

The association’s under-fire president Joseph Mungwari unilaterally postponed the polls to December, a decision which generated uproar from most affiliates.

It is, however, HAB which has come out all guns blazing over the issue and the province’s secretary-general Silas Muringani said they cannot roll out next year’s programme.

“All our planning for next year has been thrown into disarray because we do not know who will be in office,” said Muringani.

“By this time, all provincial structures should have been set up. In terms of securing sponsorship we have been dealt a blow. The corporate world has to be approached now at a time when most companies are finalising their budgets for next year. No company would entertain a board which is on its way out,” said Muringani.

Out of frustration and impatience, HAB attempted to hold elections two weeks ago, but Mungwari blocked their efforts.

In a diversion from the norm, national elections will this year precede the provincial plebiscite which is usually held first to define the electorate for the national vote.

Zimbabwean athletics — already walking wounded — is likely to begin next year facing a bleak future without sponsorship again.

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