adminDon Makanyanga
“DO not stop when you are tired, you stop when you are done,” reads the WhatsApp status of former Hockey Association of Zimbabwe president Humphrey Chigwedere. Chigwedere intends to put this philosophy to the test when he takes a crack at the Comrades Marathon on June 10.
“There is no turning back, I am geared up and ready to make my debut at the Comrades Marathon race,” said Chigwedere, who turns 49 on May 2.
He revealed that taking part in the grueling ultra-marathon will be the culmination of a mission that started with the need to stay in shape. “When I decided to keep fit and reduce weight, I chose to do long runs. Later on, I realised there was an opportunity to turn my hobby into something that would benefit the underprivileged.“It was then that I decided to run for charitable causes while at the same time working on reducing my weight,” said Chigwedere. The Comrades Marathon will be his second high profile race after having participated at last year’s Two Oceans Marathon after which he donated wheel chairs to Banket District Hospital.
“After participating at last year’s Two Oceans Marathon, I felt I needed more challenging races. I registered for this year’s Comrades Marathon where I will seek to raise funds for six projects,” said the veteran hockey administrator.
Chigwedere also intends to use his Comrades Marathon participation to raise funds for the fitting for an artificial hockey turf in Banket. “Hockey is my passion and when I moved to Mashonaland West Province in 2013, I realised there was need for me to set up structures that will feed the national teams.“I am aware that without modern facilities we won’t achieve proper sports development.
“My focus is not only on the development of hockey in Mashonaland West. Some of the money I will raise will go towards purchasing basic necessities for children’s homes,” he said.
Tinaye Agere
Online Reporter