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Kazembe Kazembe

Ellina Mhlanga, Harare Bureau
Sport, Arts and Recreation Minister Kazembe Kazembe has threatened to come down hard on errant sports bodies that fail to comply with the Sports Commission’s tenets on governance.

Kazembe said it was imperative that sports associations acted for the benefit of the public while conducting their business transparently.

The Minister who was guest of honour at the second Sport and Recreation Conference on governance in Harare yesterday told participants that Government was not amused by the attitude displayed by some associations when it comes to governance issues.

The conference held by the Sports Commission is a follow-up to a similar one held in January where 2017 was declared as the year of good governance.

“The role of governance in any organisation cannot be understated as the fabric of any institution. It is measured by its governance systems and procedures. Governance also determines how institutions are presided over thus even deciding on their interaction with stakeholders.

“It is, however, disheartening to note that most national sport associations have low regard for the adherence to good tenets of corporate governance. This sad situation explains why most sporting organisations are failing to attract investors to bankroll their activities. There is no serious investor who will put their money where it is not guaranteed safety.

“Equally the same as Government, we are not happy with some institutions who have been assisted with Government funding but fail to acquit for the resources that they would have received either from us or any other investor or well-wisher.

“It is also depressing to note that some of the institutions fail to acquit for resources they would have received. This is clearly an attitude problem, and it paints the entire sports sector black,” said Kazembe.

Over the years national associations have continued to cry foul over lack of funding and sponsorship for their various programmes including participation in major international competitions.

It has also affected local athletes’ ability to effectively compete in international events as preparations for such competitions like the Olympics, World Championships or at continental level are usually limited because of lack of resources.

Kazembe said lack of accountability and transparency have also contributed to the current situation and he will take stern measures against those that do not want to adhere to good corporate governance.

“As your Minister, I may be forced to direct the SRC to take drastic action against the errant associations or sporting bodies for the benefit of the public. Sport cannot be expected to play a pivotal role in this new dispensation unless some sport leaders change their attitude.

“Going forward we are going to insist on the SRC to deregister all the sporting bodies which are not compliant with the laws of the land. This is not to say as government we are oblivious of what the International Sport Federations say in terms of interference with regards to your operations.

“However, it is also true that International Sport Federations are for good corporate governance.

“As the Ministry and SRC, we are going to tighten the screws especially on those who come to us seeking for assistance when they are not in good books with us. It must be borne in mind that Government collects money from the taxpayers and it is only fair that we deploy the scarce resources where there is order as we will also be asked to account for these resources,” said Kazembe.