Cricket players’ association revived

The Zimbabwe Professional Cricketer Association has been revived, and expectations are high it will help stir growth in the now-troubled sport. Styn Kombayi (SK) spoke to Eliah Zvimba (EZ), the newly elected secretary general of the association on what motivated its revival and the state of cricket in Zimbabwe.

SK: What is the Zimbabwe Professional Cricket Association (ZPCA)?
EZ: ZPCA is a labour movement that focuses on improving the welfare of all cricketers in Zimbabwe. This was originally constituted by the so called rebel players in early 2000. The objective of the association is to promote and protect the interest of all cricketers by endeavouring to come to amicable arrangements with all lawfully constituted cricket authorities in Zimbabwe. We are in the process of affiliating to the Federation of International Cricket Association (FICA), which is affiliated as a player’s recognised body to the International Cricket Council (ICC). So we resuscitated an association that had been dormant for about 10 years.

SK: What led to the resuscitation of the association?
EZ:  Well, after the impasse between Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) and the players over unpaid wages, the players felt that the only solution was to form a body that would negotiation on their behalf. The players set up a steering committee and I was one of the eight candidates that were interviewed for the position of player’s representative. I was then instructed to put in place all the documents that would enable us to register a players Association that would be recognised by ZC, FICA and local authorities. We had a slight problem when we presented our constitution to the Ministry of Labour and Social Services. As far as they were concerned their records showed that Zimbabwe already had a players association with a constitution so all we had to do was update certain parts of the constitution and we were good to go.  Not so long ago we were visited by representatives of South African Cricketers Association (SACA) who are also board members of FICA but based in South Africa. They guided us through the process.

SK: At one time ZC banned players from forming a players’ union, what has brought about the change of heart?
EZ: It was unfortunate that the players did not know their rights. The Constitution of this country as read by the Labour Act Chapter 28:01 allows for employees to form a labour union. ZC had no choice in the matter.

SK: How will the three-way relationship of ZC, players and ZPCA work?
EZ: Of all the ICC-affiliated members only two countries did not have a players association. These are Kenya and Zimbabwe. As an association our mandate is present the players interest in terms of their remuneration and welfare. Firstly, we find out what the players want as was the case of unpaid wages and bonuses that caused the strike. We then present their concerns and requests to the mother body. We engaged ZC and we started working together for the better.

SK: How does the payment process work? 
EZ: Well again in line with all other cricket playing nations the mother body pays the association a lump sum and then we distribute the money accordingly. For example we negotiated and secured a lump sum (US$450 000) from ZC for the T20 World Cup. This money was divided among the squad of 30 squad players, 15 that travelled and 15 that stayed at home.     

SK: That is an average of US$15 000 per player, which is a lot of money.
EZ: Compared to other ICC members our players are badly paid. It’s actually nothing. We want more.

SK: Is it prudent to compare Zimbabwe with other countries, when the country is facing liquidity issues?
EZ: This may be true of the country but not ZC. Since 2007 ZC has been receiving a grant for every T20 and ODI World Cup that has taken place. This year’s T20 World Cup ZC got a grant of US$8m+, as a full member of the ICC you do the sums. 

SK: As an association how can you ensure that the players will produce performances that match an income of US$15 000?
EZ: As I have said our main concern is to look after our member’s welfare, so we will look into areas such as life skills, investment training, drug abuse, we will put into place an insurance and a medical aid plan for players and families this will then give the players room to focus on playing cricket. Cricket at this level is 80 percent mental strength and 20 percent technical skill. But the bulk of the responsibility to improve player performance is ZC‘s. Part of the grant it receives is to invest in programmes that will continually improve the quality and standard of the game in the country.

SK: Can you guarantee the country that there are no hidden agendas behind ZPCA?
EZ: What do you mean?

SK: This is a noble idea, however, many of these ideas have been a means by which money is stolen, misappropriated or the association is used as a power base for personnel gain.
EZ: There is no hidden agenda; everything we have done so far is above board and is in line with other Test playing nations, the proof will be in the eating of the cake. 

SK: Do former players like Tatenda Taibu and Stuart Matsikenyeri have a role in ZPCA? 
EZ: At present not much but in the future we want to have them on board. As former players they have a role to play in terms of helping our member face the transition of life after cricket, a process that some have already gone through successfully.

SK: Will the players have representation on the ZC board?
EZ: Yes this is one of our aims we hope to do this through cricket committees that will comprise of both present and past players.

SK: Who is Eliah Zvimba?
EZ: I am a married man with four daughters. I was born on April 28,  1973 in Kadoma. I did my primary school at Mhondoro Ngezi and my secondary at Kwekwe High School. Professionally, I am a business consultant and labour practioner. I have been based in Bulawayo since 2010. Before that I worked for Chiedza Care Centre in Harare as the administration manager and the Goldwasser Plutzik Family Foundation (ZARA Centre) in Bulawayo.

SK: Lastly, what qualifies you for the position of secretary general of ZPCA?
EZ: Besides my background in labour relations, I was the general manager of the Zimbabwe Indoor Cricket League, of which I won an ICC Development of Cricket award in 2009. I also sat on the board of the Mashonaland Cricket Association. I am also an umpire and an avid cricket supporter.