Mountaineers chief executive John Brent’s contract was not renewed, neither were those of his chief operating officer Frank Kurebwa and area manager Farai Chari. “We were given 30-days notice at the beginning of April and after that, our contracts were not renewed. I was not given any reason as to why,” Brent said.
With the current Pro50 Series Cup, the Logan Cup and the T20 Cup all in their cabinet, the Mutare franchise was the most successful sporting team in Manicaland. In the just-ended season, they won the Pro50 Series Cup, a One-Day 50-over competition and the Logan Cup – a four-day competition. The Mountain Goats also won the T20 Cup, which is a 20-over competition in 2013.
They currently hold all three titles in the Zimbabwe Cricket competitions, which also makes them the most successful franchise in the local game. After all these achievements Brent said he was not happy to leave the franchise.
“I loved the job. I loved the team and I was really looking forward to building on the successes we have achieved so far. We had gelled as a unit – from the administration staff, the technical department to the players,” he said.
“It is sad that I have to leave this way. I really do not believe in burning bridges, but I am not happy at all. I did a lot for them (ZC) and in turn they also did a lot for us. I was happy with the professional working relationship we had. I really wish whoever will take over good luck and hope that they will take the franchise to a higher level or at least maintain the success.”
The ousted Mountaineers chief executive spoke glowingly of the talented pool of players they managed to keep as a unit for a long time. Brent nurtured local talent, as evidenced by the presence of arguably Zimbabwe’s best strike bowler, Tendai Chatara, captain Tinotenda Mawoyo, Kudzai Sauramba, Kevin Kasuza and Donald Tiripano.
Termination of the Mountaineers top management’s contracts comes at a time when disgruntled former Zimbabwe Cricket employees have taken the association to the Labour Relations Arbitrator for alleged unlawful termination of contracts.
Efforts to get a comment from ZC spokesperson, Lovemore Banda, were fruitless at the time of going to Press.
Post published in: Cricket