Boost for Olympics delegation

Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
WITH 286 days left before the 2016 Rio Olympics Games roar into life, Team Zimbabwe has received a huge boost after the government committed itself to assisting the entire delegation in terms of funding and preparations.

The assurance was given by the Minister of Sport and Recreation Makhosini Hlongwane during a parliamentary debate on Tuesday while responding to a question from Zanu-PF legislator Auxilia Mnangagwa on what the government will do in terms of assisting the Mighty Warriors prepare adequately for the Games.

“The Mighty Warriors have done us proud as a country. Now I’m asking the Minister, what is the government going to do in order to finance them to participate in Rio de Janeiro in 2016?” asked Mnangagwa.

Minister Hlongwane said the government, through his Ministry will ensure the whole Olympics delegation gets enough funding.

“First and foremost, let me congratulate again from this podium, the Mighty Warriors for having defeated Cameroon to become the very first football team in Zimbabwe to qualify for the Olympics,” said Minister Hlongwane.

The Mighty Warriors defeated Cameroon 1-0 at Rufaro Stadium last Sunday to go through on an away goals rule having lost the first leg 1-2 in Cameroon.

“As you may be aware Hon Member, government takes sport very seriously and this is confirmed by the way the new Ministry of Sport and Recreation has been streamlined in order to zoom in and focus specifically on the aspect of sport and recreation without clutter.

Government is certainly going to be intervening to assist the Mighty Warriors as well as the entire delegation of the Olympics team, not only in terms of preparations but also in terms of making sure that they are funded enough to proceed to the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro,” said Minister Hlongwane.

To date, rowing duo of Mucheen Thornycroft and Peter Purcell-Gilpin, swimming sensation Kirsty Coventry and marathon runner Wirimai Zhuwawo have since booked their tickets to Brazil, besides the Mighty Warriors.

A total of 10,500 athletes from 206 countries will take part in the Games that will run from August 5 to August 21, 2016.

Athletes will compete in 306 medal events, of which 136 will be women’s events, 161 men’s and nine will be mixed events. Golf and rugby will make a return to the Olympics after 112 and 92 years’ absence respectively.