Photo Credit: Zimbabwe Cricket
Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) has paid tribute to Patricia Kambarami, the veteran cricket administrator who passed away this past week.
At the time of her untimely death, she was serving as the International Cricket Council (ICC)’s development manager for Africa, a role she assumed in 2017.
Kambarami, the sister of the late former ZC Chairman Peter Chingoka, made history in 2014 when she became the first female chief operating officer in South African cricket following her appointment to the position at Titans Cricket, having served a remarkable 11 years as marketing and events manager for the franchise’s member unions, Northerns Cricket Union and Easterns Cricket Union.
Before leaving for South Africa, she was already a prominent figure within the local sporting fraternity while working at Zimbabwe Sun where she looked after the hotels and leisure group’s sponsorships, which included ZC.
Through that experience, Kambarami became part of the local organising committee for the 2003 edition of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup that Zimbabwe co-hosted alongside South Africa and Kenya.
Over the years, she was also involved in the management of other major sporting events.
ZC Managing Director Givemore Makoni said: “It was with deep sadness that ZC learnt of Patricia’s untimely death.
“Our sport owes so much to her, a pioneering and inspirational figure whose vision, leadership and hard work were instrumental in advancing the growth of cricket across Africa, particularly the women’s game.
“On behalf of the ZC Board, Management and Staff, I convey our deepest condolences to Patricia’s family and friends and the entire cricket fraternity on the loss of such a wonderful woman.
“She might be gone, but her legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of those she impacted.”
