THE Squash Rackets Association of Zimbabwe (SRAZ) is facing a severe financial crisis that puts the squash team’s participation in the upcoming All Africa Games in Uganda next month in jeopardy.
SRAZ has been forced to ask prospective players to secure their own funding, even as the association attempts to approach the corporate sector.
Among the affected athletes is 16-year-old Natasha Gwidzima, the country’s ladies number two squash player.
Her father, Langton, revealed to this publication that he is actively fundraising just to cover his daughter’s airfare to Uganda.
Natasha, who trains at the Suburbs Squash Club in Bulawayo, is the younger sister of England-based Ryan Gwidzima, the men’s national champion.
According to SRAZ documents seen by NewsDay Sport, the All Africa Games are scheduled for November 15 to 23.
Invitation letters sent to players detail the costs they must cover, which include US$500 for airfares, US$150 (team kit), US$50 (local transportation in Uganda), US$ 25 (travel insurance) and US$30 for registration.
A letter sent to Natasha, signed by SRAZ national co-ordinator Nishyto Munyoro read in part: “On behalf of the Squash Rackets Association of Zimbabwe, we are writing to extend our heartfelt congratulations on your outstanding achievement of finishing in the top four at the recent Zimbabwe Closed Tournament.
“This impressive result has automatically qualified you to represent Zimbabwe at the upcoming All Africa Game.
“To confirm your participation, we require you to take two important steps: confirm your availability to compete in the tournament, [and] confirm your ability to self-fund your trip at this time by completing and returning the attached agreement.”
Munyoro clarified that while the host nation, Uganda, will provide accommodation, food and airport transfers during the Games, the players’ costs should be covered upfront.
“The executive committee is pursuing all possible avenues to secure funding,” he said.
“Should we be successful, players who have self-funded will be eligible for a full or partial refund of these expenses.”
The agreement was due to be returned by September 24.
Despite these efforts, Munyoro painted a gloomy picture yesterday regarding the team’s participation.
“We are not sure if we are sending a team as we are struggling to get sponsorship,” Munyoro stated.
“The players are trying to get sponsorship on their own and the association is also trying to get sponsorship, but we are not getting any luck at the moment.
“Most people are telling us they have exhausted their budgets.”
The situation is critical, he noted, as the deadline for entry is imminent.
“We are in a tight situation and we are supposed to enter a team by the end of day tomorrow (today) and the resources and the timeline are not tallying. We might not send a team.”
Munyoro confirmed that SRAZ is working towards securing long-term corporate sponsorship that would benefit various clubs nationwide and when quizzed on approaching the government.
“It’s too complicated, but yes, we are trying to do that as well,” he conceded.
Natasha’s father, Langton, made an emotional appeal for government assistance, questioning why individual sports like squash were often left unsupported.
“Will the SRC [Sport and Recreation Commission] or government come in and support individual sports like squash where some athletes have done so well?” Langton asked.
“All other African nations are providing athletes with all the support.”
