The Zimbabwe government through the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) has set up a three-man committee to investigate the poor performance of the Warriors in the 2017 AFCON in Gabon.
Itai Zvomuya, heads the committee with two other members, Joseph Mungwari and John Falkenberg, according to a statement signed by the SRC acting Director, Joseph Muchechetere.
Zimbabwe’s participation in the 2017 AFCON was marked by off the field incidents, including accusations of ‘player indiscipline’ where players rejected a send off dinner organised by the Ministry of Sport which was to be officiated by acting President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The terms of reference for the committee include enquiring into matters relating to Warriors’ preparation for the tournament and possible lapses therein which might have caused their early exit from the tournament and matters relating to the management of the team and events in their camp during the tournament.
The Statement read:
“The team’s boycott of the send off dinner also affected the general preparations and travel of the Warriors. These challenges naturally tarnished the image of the country, ZIFA and were a complete embarrassment to the sponsors.
“Their actions have far reaching consequences not only to the Football fraternity but also to the entire sport and recreation sector hence the decision to set up the Committee of inquiry to address these challenges”, said Muchechetere, Acting Director General.
The Committee will get to the bottom of the problems and assess the severity of the damage caused.
The Committee of Inquiry comprise:
Commissioner Titus Itai Zvomuya – Chairperson,
Commissioner Joseph Mungwari – Member, and
Commissioner John Falkenberg – Member.
Furthermore, members of the Committee are expected to commence duty immediately and will gather evidence through face to face, electronic interviews or written submissions from the Warriors other stakeholders.
“The findings of the Committee together with its recommendations shall be communicated to the SRC Board no later than 28 February 2017. As part of its work, the Committee will be at liberty to request for reports or information on any issue that they may deem necessary from ZIFA for incorporation into the final report”, added Muchechetere.
