Zimbabwe Guardian
By Nancy Pasipanodya
19 June 2010
ZIMBABWE cricket bosses have denied rumours that they are agitating to stymie former Australian Prime Minister John Howard's nomination as a future ICC president. Zimbabwe Cricket says it has not reached a decision on Australasia's elevation of Mr Howard to the game's most senior administrative post despite international media reports saying they opposed the nomination.
Australia and New Zealand nominated him in March to become vice-president and now hope that he will succeed India’s Sharad Pawar, who is about to begin a two-year term.
The ICC’s annual meeting begins today week in Singapore. The venue was shifted to the South East Asian country as ZC President Peter Chingoka is not allowed to travel to Britain.
Mr Howard is a controversial figure who is despised by politicians in Zimbabwe for imposing illegal and crippling sanctions against Zimbabwe. However, cricket bosses in Zimbabwe say their decision to block or aid Howard’s elevation will be purely on sporting, not political, grounds.
Minister of Education and Sport, David Coltart, who visited Australia and New Zealand last week said he had spoken to the cricket bosses, Peter Chingoka (ZC President) and Ozias Bvute (General Manager) about the nomination.
“I have spoken to Zimbabwe Cricket about this (Howard nomination). They say they have not reached a decision,” minister Coltart said.
“I’ve reached a consensus with them. I as minister and they as Zimbabwe Cricket recognise it’s important that we normalise our relations with all cricket associations.
“Unless we do, we’re not going to achieve our aim of improving Zimbabwe cricket.
“One can hardly normalise relations with New Zealand Cricket and Cricket Australia if our first act is going to be to stand in the way of their preferred choice. Zimbabwe Cricket understand that.”
Zimbabwe hopes to be back in Test cricket by next May after voluntarily dropping out four years ago.