“…ED has tried to be inclusive but those who have failed…”
19 January 2022
Jeremiah Harrison
Sports Writer
Firebrand Independent Norton Member of Parliament Temba Mliswa has told the President ED Mnangagwa to fire Minister Kirsty Coventry.
Mliswa expressed that the decline of sport in Zimbabwe specifically football is squarely blamed on Min. Kirsty Coventry.
Kirsty Coventry the Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation was appointed as a minister in 2018 by the President of Zimbabwe.
Mliswa suggested that Coventry be relieved of her duties and her deputy Tino Machakaire replace her.
“It’s better that the Ministry be reshuffled and Tino Machakaire is made the Minister. Kirsty has only used the position to get herself an IOC seat which isn’t beneficial to the country”
The Norton MP mentioned that Coventry should be replaced because she has failed to promote the development of sports in the country since her appointment in 2018.
All Stadia in Zimbabwe were banned by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) from hosting international matches.
To add salt to wound, in March 2023 AFCON qaulifiers begins yet Zimbabwe does not have a stadium that is suitable for hosting international matches.
Rufaro Stadium in Mbare, Harare is reported to be in state of disrepair, same with the giant National Sports Stadium.
The next could be Bulawayo’s Barbourfields Stadium but it too was condemed because it lacks bucket seating, prerequisite dressing rooms, onto the pitch tunnel and the dug outs still do not meet international standards.
Where will Zimbabwe Warriors play their home matches for the 2023 AFCON qualifiers?
Mliswa warned the head of state ED Mnangagwa that his desire to be more inclusive (Coventry is a young white female), will backfire.
Blogging on his twitter handle Mliswa said that he has nothing against Coventry and he wants nothing out of this, all he wants is for the nation to succeed in sports.
The under fire Minister of Sports, has also received a backlash from Twimbos as she is accused of racism after the Hockey Association of Zimbabwe (HAZ) announced a women’s team dominated by white players.
Many expressed their displeasure on twitter directing messages to Min. Kirsty Coventry that she should not return the country back to the Rhodesian era.
Zimbabwe Women’s hockey will partake in the Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Ghana, the tournament begins today.
Zim GBC News