With less than a month remaining until the upcoming election, the Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU) has yet to unveil its slate of candidates.
Insider sources indicate that the current president, Aaron Jani, is gearing up for a bid to extend his tenure.
Jani, who has held the presidency for two consecutive terms, appears determined to secure another mandate despite facing mounting criticism. His main contender, ZRU Vice President Lawson Mtongwiza, is also eyeing the top spot, alongside Gerald Sibanda, chairman of Real Betis Academy in Zimbabwe.
The question looms: Does Jani merit another term?
While Jani boasts a track record within the rugby community, having previously served as a Sables player and assumed a leadership role in Rugby Africa as treasurer, his presidency has been marred by controversy.
One of the primary grievances against Jani’s administration is the neglect of player welfare. Reports have surfaced of national team players, including the Lady Sables and Junior Sables, receiving meager allowances or no compensation at all for their services. Recently, the Lady Sables voiced their discontent on social media after receiving a paltry $60 allowance for their participation in a match against Zambia.
Moreover, under Jani’s leadership, the ZRU has struggled to secure adequate resources, leading to instances where teams are forced to return tracksuits worn during matches due to financial constraints. WhatsApp messages obtained by this publication revealed ZRU officials threatening players with legal action if they failed to return the tracksuits.
Furthermore, Jani’s tenure has seen a decline in sponsorship opportunities for the sport, with the prestigious Schools Rugby Festival experiencing a hiatus of nearly three years before its recent revival through private funding.
Critics argue that Jani’s inability to attract sponsorship and adequately support national teams reflects a broader failure to propel Zimbabwean rugby into the professional era. Despite the sport’s potential, it continues to languish in a semi-professional or even amateur status under his leadership.
As the election date draws nearer, stakeholders within the rugby community are left to ponder whether Aaron Jani’s bid for another term promises continuity or heralds a need for change in the governance of Zimbabwean rugby.
Source NewZimbabwe
