Zimpapers Logo

Robson Sharuko Senior Sports Editor
THE Federation of International Cricketers Association tried to arm-twist Zimbabwe’s senior cricketers to force them to reverse the decision to terminate their relationship with their representative, labour lawyer Eliah Zvimba.

FICA chief operating officer, Ian Smith, who is in charge of the day-to-day operations of the organisation, wrote to Brendan Taylor, the Zimbabwe Test team skipper, and Elton Chigumbura, the ODI captain, expressing shock at their decision to part ways with Zvimba.

Smith also copied his correspondence, on January 1 this year, to other local senior cricketers — Vusi Sibanda and Prosper Utseya — fighting in Zvimba’s corner and sharply criticising the decision taken by the players to boot out the Zimbabwe Professional Cricketers Association chief executive.

The FICA official, in his correspondence, also appeared to be trying to issue veiled threats to the players, reminding them “of the considerable money and time we have invested in this enterprise on your behalf.”

There has always been suspicion within the Zimbabwe Cricket leadership that FICA’s interests in the domestic game spilled beyond helping local cricketers, into taking control of the running of the game in this country, and Smith’s correspondence will justify those fears.

Inevitably, questions will now be asked as to why FICA, which is just a representative union of cricketers, and which describes itself as a non-profit making body, would go the extra mile of pouring “considerable money and time” into domestic affairs that should be taken care of by the ZPCA?

Alternatively, this could be viewed as suggesting that ZPCA existed just in name only, having been swallowed by FICA, who made all the decisions after investing “considerable money” with the local organisation merely rubber-stamping views that were being imported from elsewhere.

Zvimba told The Herald yesterday that FICA have been paying US$1 500 a month, since last year, into the ZPCA coffers but said charges that the money went into his pockets were not true as it was used to run their office.

The labour lawyer said they approached FICA for subsistence after he notified the players that running the affairs of ZPCA, from his pockets, was taking a huge toll on his finances and he needed a helping hand.

The ZPCA are not full members of FICA whose website clearly states that their membership is made up of the Australian Cricketers Association, Professional Cricketers Association (England), New Zealand Cricket Players Association, South African Cricketers Association, Sri Lankan Cricketers Association, West Indies Players Association and the Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh.

Players from cricket heavyweights, India and Pakistan, do not fall under the FICA umbrella although the organisation says “it is attempting to bring together all of the world’s cricketers, regardless of nationality, religion, political persuasion or race, under an international body which will focus on matters that directly or indirectly affect the players.”

Zimbabwe’s cricketers advised FICA last year that they were terminating Zvimba’s services.

The players then released a statement on Sunday listing a number of grievances, including allegations that the labour lawyer was double dipping, getting payments from FICA while at the same time they were paying him.

However, the local cricketers’ decision to sack their representative torched a storm at FICA who reacted strongly questioning the wisdom of the decision to dump Zvimba.

On January 1, the FICA chief operating officer, wrote a strongly worded email to some of the country’s senior cricketers, including the two captains — Taylor and Chigumbura.

Smith was appointed FICA chief operating officer in June last year after having worked, since 2004, as the Legal Director of the Professional Cricketers Association, which represents England’s professional cricketers.

“Gentlemen, as you can undoubtedly imagine, we are all shocked to receive a copy of your email terminating Eliah’s contract as ZPCA CEO,” Smith said in his email.

“Putting aside the ethics of firing someone by email, with no notice of explanation, there are also some very serious practical issues to address such as the looming deadline for the signing of World Cup player terms and the considerable efforts of Eliah, Andrew Breetzke (head of player services and advocacy in the South African Cricketers Association) and FICA to protect your interests and negotiate a deal with ZC.

“I really need to understand better what your reasoning for this decision and how, if at all, I can help.

“This is very important for all cricket in Zimbabwe and for FICA — I’m sure you don’t need reminding of the considerable money and time we have invested in this enterprise on your behalf.

“We have no reason, based on our experience, to call Eliah’s commitment or efforts into question, so we are curious as to why you, as the senior player group, appears to have lost confidence in him when, just a very short time ago, it appeared that he had your full support.

“Please get back to me as a matter of urgency or call me and we can chat.”