Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
PEOPLE living with physical, mental or psychological processes that differ from the norm in Manicaland have decried the lack of facilities and initiatives meant to promote their participation in various sporting activities.
Of late, only independent institutions have a few sports codes for people living with disabilities, and there is no community participation nor active leagues for them.
For example, there is hearing impaired (HI) netball at Nzeve Deaf, goal ball at Mutare Teachers’ College, five aside football at Chengetai Children’s Home.
Various sports are available in Zimbabwe for individuals with disabilities, including those with low mobility, through programmes like the Zimbabwe National Paralympic Games and Special Olympics Zimbabwe, but very little has been done to have the games cascade down to communities, let alone in marginalised communities.
Well-known Mutare advocate for rights and dignity for people living with disabilities, Tendai Mazuru, who formed a Foundation for Persons with Disabilities and their Families, told Post Sport that it is disheartening to note that people living with disabilities are being sidelined in terms of sports infrastructure and initiatives.
“As a foundation representing persons with disabilities, we are eager to participate in sports like soccer, netball, cricket, and volleyball. However, we are consistently overlooked and excluded from opportunities. We urge the powers that be to consider creating accessible infrastructure and leagues for persons with disabilities, including those who are deaf.
“A soccer league for the deaf will be a great start. Let us work together to promote inclusive sports and empower persons with disabilities to reach their full potential,” he said.
Sports and Recreation Commission Coordinator for Manicaland, Shupikai Berejena said there is need to revive Paralympic Games in the province in view of the forthcoming national competitions.
“As of now, being an immediate measure, there is need for all stakeholders concerned to realign in order to focus more on the development of Paralympics in the province. The national Paralympics Games are just around the corner, hence the need to gear up again. Our wish is to leave no place and no one behind,” said Berejena.
Some of sports for individuals with low mobility include wheelchair basketball, a popular sport in Zimbabwe that is played at the National Paralympic Games as well as wheelchair tennis, also featured in the Zimbabwe National Paralympic Games and is available to athletes with low mobility.
In athletics, various track and field events are available and adapted for individuals with physical disabilities, including amputees while powerlifting is also another code which is a strength-based sport and is mentioned as a potential option for para-athletes in the region.
Special Olympics Zimbabwe offers Motor Activity Training Programme (MATP) programme for athletes with severe to profound disabilities, focusing on fundamental motor skills rather than competitive sports.
Despite the available programmes, significant barriers are hindering the participation of people with disabilities in sports.
A 2017 study found that common obstacles for amputees included lack of adapted facilities and equipment, insufficient specific competitions and limited information on the benefits of sports Additionally, research has highlighted the need for greater Government as well as private sector support, including funding and facilities, to effectively implement inclusive sports policies.
