adminHarare Bureau
THE curtain came down on this year’s edition of the Danhiko Annual Paralympic Games with Copota High from Masvingo being crowned champions.
The games, held at Danhiko for three days ,attracted over 2,400 athletes from 123 clubs drawn from across the country, and a team from Botswana. Participants took part in track and field events, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair slalom, wheelchair tennis, goal ball, netball, soccer and swimming.
Copota dominated most of the events to accumulate 189 points that saw them clinching the title ahead of defending champions Danhiko Project who came second.
Danhiko were winners of the Silver Jubilee Danhiko Annual Paralympic Games last year. They emerged the overall winners with 118 points. However, despite an improved performance this year that saw them amassing 153 points they could not defend the title.
For their efforts Copota High walked away with $400 while the hosts Danhiko got $250 for coming second.
National Rehab Ruwa were third with 125 points and they got $150.
Danhiko Project Director, Phone Kufakwedeke, attributed the games’ success to the First Lady Grace Mugabe who is the patron of the annual event.
“For these games to reach the level they have it’s because of our patron the First Lady, Dr Grace Mugabe. The profile has been raised because of the assistance we get from the First Lady,” said Kufakwedeke.
Kufakwedeke said the games continue to grow every year and this year’s edition was tougher compared to the previous event.
“I can say the level of competition was high and also that this year’s games were attended by quite a large number of people including our invited guests. We are very pleased that the games are growing from strength to strength. And many more of these people are appreciating the hosting of these games here at Danhiko.
“We did have Botswana, it was the only team that was successful to come and participate although Zambia had promised to come and participate but presumably they must have encountered some challenges which made them not to appear.
“Next year we would want to improve on foreign participation. We hope Malawi, Zambia and also Botswana will come to participate after we have invited them to come and participate in the Games. That’s our hope,” said Kufakwedeke.
The games were officially opened by the First Lady Grace Mugabe on Saturday with the actual competition having started on Friday.
A number of companies including Delta Beverages and NetOne have come on board to support the biggest Paralympic sporting event in the country which continues to grow from strength to strength.
The games were graced by the Japanese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Yoshi Hiraishi.
Online Reporter