Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) fulfilled its pledge to donate all proceeds from their third One-Day International (ODI) against the United Arab Emirates towards Cyclone Idai disaster relief efforts.
A total of RTGS$15 000 was raised from ticket sales for the match, played on 14 April which Zimbabwe won by 131 runs on their way to a series whitewash victory.
The entire proceeds will go towards assisting communities affected by the cyclone, which has been described as possibly the worst weather-related disaster ever to hit the southern hemisphere.
ZC Chairman, Honourable Tavengwa Mukuhlani, presented the cheque to the Acting Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, Honourable Kazembe Kazembe, who in turn handed it to Civil Protection Unit Director, Mr Nathan Nkomo, at Harare Sports Club on Wednesday.
Accepting the donation, the Acting Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Honourable Professor Mavhima, in a speech read on his behalf by Mr Nkomo, said; “As a nation we are humbled to receive this donation which has come timely as we seek to restore normalcy in affected communities.
“Your contribution follows the humanitarian appeal which the President of Zimbabwe, His Excellency Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, launched recently towards humanitarian assistance in affected communities.
“We value your contribution as a sport entity and extend an invitation to you to visit the affected communities and take the game to them if possible. Sport provides us with a means of entertainment and brings out hidden values and talents amongst performers.
“While the government is seized with psycho social support programmes in affected areas, we also call upon the sport fraternity to be active in those areas so that the physical and mental well being of affected people are enhanced.
“We thank you once again for this generous gesture”
ZC first joined the response to the devastation of Cyclone Idai, which ravaged eastern Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi in March, by making a donation of blankets, clothing, cooking oil and sugar beans, among other supplies, to the affected communities.
