HARARE – Real Betis Academy chairman Gerald Sibanda, a former Zimbabwe rugby international player has announced his interest to vie for the presidential post in the Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU).
The upcoming elections for the post are slated for 25 May 2024 when the ZRU members are set to elect a new executive into office.
Sibanda will tussle against the incumbent Aron Jani, ZRU vice president Lawson Mtongwiza who is also reportedly eyeing the top position and probably other yet to be announced candidates.
The Real Betis Academy chairman took to Facebook to announce his desire to be at the helm of rugby governing body.
He shared his poster with his written his vision for the organisation on Facebook.
“A call from the land of my fathers. A time to sweat, a time to play, and now a set time to lead the game I conquered with my brothers, the game I love, our great people of Zimbabwe, to unite the motherland and take Zimbabwe Rugby back to first class rugby.
“Let the land heal, oh son of man, son of the soil, God bless Zimbabwe Rugby, Amen,” Sibanda posted.
“Vision 2031: Growing the game – Women’s and Men’s rugby. Inclusivity and equality leaving no one place and noone behind.
“First class international test rugby. Domestic professional league, Unlocking investment. Infrastructure development. Grassroots development – Schools and academies rugby and Rugby World Cups,” he listed his visions with ZRU.
Sibanda has a decorated rugby career particularly in International 7s rugby with iconic Zimbabwe Cheetahs Sevens team between 2007 to 2012.
He won bowls and shields, prestigious individual awards, including the Top Try Scorer for Zimbabwe at the Sevens Rugby World Cup in Dubai in 2009.
He was named in the best Sevens Rugby team for the World Rugby in December 2009, scoring a try to help Zimbabwe to win the World Cup in 2009 after beating Ireland in the final.
Part of his rugby success includes representing Zimbabwe in three Rugby World Cups.
