With a vision of improving the rugby footprint in Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Rugby Union has appointed experienced rugby enthusiast Blessing Chiutare as Chief Executive Officer together with Fortunate Zungu as Operations Director and Raymond Gonte to head Marketing and Media. The appointments come after a relatively long and rigorous process .

Chiutare, 50, has a long involvement with Zimbabwean Rugby and has, over many years, served in several different capacities within the game’s structures.

Chiutare has held key leadership roles in rugby including Harare Sports Club chairman, Harare Metropolitan Province interim vice-chairman. He has also managed the Zimbabwe Under-20 and Under-21 teams. Until 2016, Chiutare worked in the  Entertainment Industry.

Chiutare understands the task ahead and believes it is imperative for the ZRU to bring forth a corporate culture that will ensure the Union is self sustaining, the fan base is growing and that more people (men and women) are playing the game.

“I’m no stranger to Zimbabwean Rugby and I look forward to moving rugby to the place where all stakeholders want it to be”, Chiutare said.

Speaking of the trio, ZRU President, Nyararai Sibanda said “We believe the secretariat now have the right mix to take rugby forward and bring the results the country deserves. We congratulate them, welcome them and wish them well in their new appointments”.