The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE Rugby Union are still hunting for a director of rugby, almost a year since Brighton Chivandire quit his post.
Raymond Gonte, the ZRU spokesperson said all recruitments depended on the engagement of a chief executive officer, who only came into office at the beginning of the month. With the CEO now in office, Gonte said the most senior member of the ZRU is now scrutinising the curriculum vitaes of those who have shown interest in the post and will then advise the Nyararai Sibanda-led board.
“All appointments within the union hinged on having a CEO. He will now begin going through the CV’s we have and advise the Board,’’ said Gonte.
He pointed out that the ZRU were busy handling the matter and they are not under pressure to appoint a director of rugby. Contrary to what Gonte said, Chivandire left ZRU at the end of September last year and not in November. Nsikelelo Sibanda has been the acting director of rugby since 1 October.
Questions have been raised on why Sibanda, who is working on completing his World Rugby level three coaching qualification, is a level two referee and a World rugby educator has not been given the post on a permanent basis. ZRU are said to have approached a number of individuals outside the country who have however turned down their overtures. One of them was South African Warren Edwards who is based in Cape Town.
“Due process is underway and the Union is seized with the matter. Brighton left the Union in November 2016(sic). That is clearly not a year. We are under no pressure to appoint. The Acting Director is qualified, this is why he was placed and is in that acting capacity.
The post for Director of Rugby was advertised. All applicants are rendered equal until the process ends. He is acting until a substantive person is appointed. It would not be proper to reveal the applicants or to focus on just one applicant whilst the selection process is ongoing.’’ Gonte said.
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