David Coltart’s Directive on National Selectors clarified

January 15, 2013

Blog by Moses Marimo

15 January 2013

The ongoing hullabaloo in the media about the directive issued by minister David Coltart should now come to an end after he clarified it. I also had read media articles flying all over the place, including serious accusations of racism. Indeed, it appeared a racial storm was building up to wreck cricket like what happened almost a decade ago.

I opined the following of facebook: “At face value, David Coltart’s directive looks quite good. My only problem is that the directive excludes other sports like Soccer on the basis that there are no selectors in Soccer! This is the most absurd reasoning I have ever heard. There are selectors in Soccer and other sports, only that they are the coaches and their assistants. If the letter and spirit of this direct was purely for “National interest”, then the advantages noted would also apply to all other sporting in Zimbabwe. Talk of the issue of players respecting decisions made by ex-National Players, the issue of first hand experience, etc. This applies to all sports. So, why would other sports not want to enjoy the “benefits” of this directive??? This is absurd! Unless if there is a grain of truth in allegations of personal vendettas, I can not see any reason why Soccer, Rugby, Tennis, etc would not want to benefit from the directive.“

This opinion was largely influenced by articles I have read. My biggest problem was selective application. It has now been clarified by the Minister himself in a series of responses on the social network. I must say David Coltart, whether you agree with him or not, effectively uses technology to communicate with his constituents, one of which is sport. His responses  (verbatim) are below:

  • “Thank you Moses Marimo – this is my point – the directive applies to ALL – including football.”
  • “If the directive does not make that clear enough then we will make that clear. It cannot apply to some issues though – for example small or new sports where there are no ex players to become national selectors.”

In response to my post, “So, if that is the case, so what is this outcry all about?? I thought the directive had been clarified to narrow the definition of a “Selector” to Cricket and Bowling only. If that is not the case, I hope you will confirm this, then I would say you took a bold long overdue decision. Such a decision should not be undermined by selective application. Just like we always cry about how police selectively apply the law.” The Minister had this to say:

  • “Exactly! This has deliberately been distorted by some – here is the extract from the directive which makes it clear it applies to all – “1.1 With effect from 1 February 2013, all national sport associations whose national team selection is conducted by national selectors shall ensure that such selectors have the requisite experience and skills. In particular, no person shall be appointed as a selector unless they have represented Zimbabwe in the particular sport.”
After these explanations from the Minister, could there be still any confusion about the directive and what the nation should expect? BUT what is it that the nation should expect?
From what I now understand from the Ministers responses, national selectors would mean anyone appointed to carry out the task of “national selection” and this would include football, rugby, and all those sports which have developed to the extend that there is a sizable pool of ex-national team players.
This directive, has a lot of advantages and I think those not harbouring any selfish ambition will welcome it. HOWEVER, the Minister and indeed SRC should safeguard this and other good initiatives by making sure there is no partial application of the directive. A lot of good initiatives will end up resulting in unintended consequences like racial storms because of either misunderstandings and or partial application.