adminEllina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
DANHIKO Project are this year’s winners of this year’s Danhiko Paralympic Games silver jubilee edition after emerging as the overall winners with 118 points yesterday as the curtain came down on the event.
The three-day event started on Friday with 2 382 athletes from 110 clubs competing in track and field events, football, wheelchair basketball, netball, goal ball, slalom, swimming and wheelchair tennis.
Danhiko, who are the hosts of the Games, dominated the competition with most of their points coming from netball and track events.
For their efforts they walked away with a trophy and US$2 500.
Danhiko sports director Josephine Mujeri, was impressed with her team’s performance in this year’s games as they celebrate 25 years of existence.
“The competition was very tough but I am very glad that we managed to scoop the first prize. As the sports director of Danhiko and also the team manager, I want to thank my athletes.
“We used to practise a lot although I faced some challenges to co-ordinate the team because we have vocational and a secondary school, so it was difficult to co-ordinate the athletes that’s why we did not win the previous games but we kept practising,” said Mujeri.
On second position was Jairos Jiri Kadoma with 99 points and last year’s winners Copota from Masvingo settled for third position. Jairos Jiri Kadoma and Copota got US$1 500 and US$1 000 respectively.
The Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Tabetha Kanengoni-Malinga, who was the guest of honour, said the games were a bold statement of the Government and the nation’s commitment to Paralympic sport.
“The games were designed out not only to provide people living with disabilities with an opportunity to participate in sporting activities of their choice but also as a tool of addressing the imbalances that exist to access the sport.
“Paralympic sport has now developed the world over as a rallying point to make a statement on inclusivity,” said Malinga.
Malinga, however, said there was need to improve the country’s performance in international competitions.
“Our performance on the international sporting arena remains stagnated and needs to be improved.
“In an effort to address this state of affairs, the Government through the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture will before the end of the year unveil a new strategic thrust for our sport which should result in significant improvement in Zimbabwe’s competitiveness,” said Malinga.
The deputy minister called on all stakeholders to come together for the development of athletes who can compete and win in major international competitions.
Deputy director and chairperson of the Danhiko Annual Paralympic Games organising committee, Godfrey Majonga, said they are grateful to the First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe, who is the patron of the games, for making the games a reality.
This year’s prizes for the winners were increased from US$400 to US$2 500.
“As the organising committee we are very satisfied with the games and the turnout was excellent. We had 110 clubs from all corners of Zimbabwe and competition was high.
“We want to thank all our sponsors and our patron Amai Mugabe who made these games a success. She financed some of the activities, brought food for us, provided entertainment and spent the day with us yesterday (Saturday).
“The prizes have gone up, there were prizes for each category and for outstanding individuals the First Lady has given,” said Majonga.
Winners in each category got US$600 while the runner-up pocketed US$380 and US$250 for third place while outstanding individuals walked away with US$175 each.
Online Reporter