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Ellina Mhlanga, Harare Bureau
SEASONED administrator, Charles Nhemachena has retired as the Sports Commission director-general after serving in that capacity for a decade.

Nhemachena, who came into office in 2006, stepped down at the end of last month.

Sports Commission acting chairperson, Edward Siwela ,confirmed the development yesterday.

The Commission have since appointed director sport development, Joseph Muchechetere as the acting director-general until they find a replacement for Nhemachena.

“He has retired with effect from April 30 after serving for slightly over 10 years.

“The organisation, as I speak, has appointed an acting director-general in Joseph Muchechetere.

“What will follow is that the organisation will go through the process of advertising that post, ensuring suitable candidates apply and go through the selection process. And the suitable candidate will be appointed substantive.

“It’s a process. I can’t give you the deadline to say it should be over by this time.

“As SRC board we are obviously grateful for what Charles Nhemachena has done and we wish him well in the future,” said Siwela.

Siwela they had seen a number of programmes running under the leadership of Nhemachena and have been successful with most of them already running in the country’s 10 provinces.

“Despite the difficulties that every organisation is facing economically SRC continued not only to regulate national associations but ensured grassroot development with programmes such as the Community Sport Development Program.

“We now have the CSDP in every province, it was introduced in his tenure.

“Every province has had the opportunity to host the National Youth Games, the National Paralympics Games and the YES (Youth Education through Sport). So a lot of activities were carried out during his tenure.

“He is also a member of a committee in the African Union Sports Council Region Five, where he has actually been in the finance committee. He still is. So his contribution has not been to Zimbabwe alone but he has been an active member of the region and remains active member in the region,” said Siwela.

Nhemachena said although there were ups and downs during his tenure he appreciates the opportunity he had to serve the country.

“I am appreciative of the opportunity to lead sport at the highest level in the country. It was indeed an honour and priviledge.

“It was not only a good experience, it was also learning process right to the end. I am pleased to have made my contribution as far as sport is concerned.

“I am happy to have seen the resilience within the SRC and the national associations, being able to continue running programmes.

“One has to pay tribute to the national associations for being able to maintain their programs, not only that but being able to compete at regional, continental and international competitions.

“So I am really grateful to everyone I have had to interact with during the past 10 years. I can tell there is commitment for people to develop sport and to project a good image for Zimbabwe through sport. So it’s been a good experience,” said Nhemachena.

Meanwhile, Sports and Recreation Minister, Makhosini Hlongwane, has officially opened the two-day high-profile 48th ANOCA executive meeting in Victoria Falls.