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Charles Nhemachena

Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter

THE country’s supreme sports body, the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC), has been running without a substantive board chairman for the past three months following the resignation of Bulawayo lawyer Joseph James.

He resigned in June allegedly following a public fallout with the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Andrew Langa after his (James) board seemingly snubbed a football indaba that was called by the Minister at the Zifa Village in June. Only one board member attended the meeting, a move that left Minister Langa livid as he immediately threatened to dissolve the board for what he saw as disrespect.

Minister Langa told the gathering then that as far as he was concerned there could not have been a more important gathering than the football indaba.

SRC director-general Charles Nhemachena confirmed that James tendered in his resignation but refused to divulge the reasons for the move.

“Yes, he stepped down a few months ago but I will not reveal the reasons behind that as that can only be done by the Minister who is the one that appoints and dis-appoints,” said Nhemachena.

Minister Langa last month said he had already identified suitable candidates for the SRC board, adding that the names were waiting to be approved by President Mugabe.

Long serving commissioner and vice chairperson of the board, Edward Siwela, is the acting chairperson.