TENNIS Zimbabwe (TZ) vice-president Regis Bhunu has emerged as the favourite to land the presidency of the association whose elections are set for end of month.
REPORT BY ALBERT MARUFU
The elections, to be held on June 29 at Harare Sports Club, will see provincial chairmen electing the president, vice-president and members of the executive.
The positions fell vacant after the coming to an end of the Anne Martin-led executive’s term of office.
Martin is ineligible to contest as she has served her two, three year terms.
The selectors’ committee, headed by Tanyaradzwa Chinamo, will remain in office, as it still has one more year left on its term of office.
Bhunu is likely to go uncontested after Chinamo, who was tipped to challenge him, expressed unwillingness to contest the position.
“I am within the structures of TZ at the moment and I am not interested in the position of president. Maybe, after three years I can consider that,” said Chinamo.
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Bhunu expressed a willingness to contest in the position. Veteran administrator, who is currently a member of the executive, Martin Lorke is a favourite for the vice-president’s position.
Though all the provincial chairmen were not at liberty to disclose their nominees for the vacant positions, they were united in saying they would vote for someone who would take tennis to a high level.
Bulawayo Metropolitan Province TZ president Zeb Mawisire said the main objective was to have someone who would rise above regional lines.
“We want someone who will realise that there is also tennis in other areas such as Gweru, Kwekwe, Mutare, Rusape and Bulawayo. We want the sport to develop in all areas of Zimbabwe,” said Mawisire.
Joseph Zawaira, the TZ provincial chairperson for Masvingo echoed Mawisire’s sentiments.
“We understand that Harare is a big province, but development should also spread to other cities. Talent should be identified everywhere in Zimbabwe,” he said.
The Midlands chairperson Stanley Rudhu said they were looking for someone who would interact with all the provinces.
The outgoing executive comprises president Martin, vice-president Bhunu with Pet Tshatedi, Lorke, Vincent, Vincent Nyatoti, Johan Atzinger.
The elected people will be in office for the next three years.
Mutetwa’s expectations of the new boss
TZ Harare Province’s chairman Conwell Mutetwa said they hope the new executive will be able to grow the sport.
“We want a leader with the clout to bring investors to the sport. A lot of what has been happening in tennis now has been parent-driven and we want that to change. Right now we have kids who are representing the country in Tunisia and it is parents who paid for their fares and upkeep. This is not healthy at all,” he said.
