Hwange Colliery Stadium condemned

The ZPC secretary-general Lewis Garaba  said during the fundraising and launch of the fifth edition of the Zimbabwe National Paralympic Games at the Edmund Davies Hall in Hwange on Friday night that the stadium was not user friendly to people with disabilities.
Hwange Colliery managing director Freddy Moyo was the guest of honour.
“I know that many of you here will be shocked to hear this, Hwange Colliery Stadium is functional but what is real is that the stadium is completely inaccessible to people with a disability, especially those that use wheelchairs. I shudder to think what will happen during the Games as I understand that it will be the venue of the official opening,” said Garaba to a stunned top table that also included the Governor and Resident Minister of Matabeleland North, who is also the Games’ patron, Thokozile Mathuthu.
Garaba said these were things that the ZPC wants addressed as a matter of urgency.
“We have made a lot of strides trying to promote sport among people with disabilities. Our vision is to create an enabling environment for sporting excellence. These Games that will be held in April contribute immensely to the development of the economy,” said Garaba.
In response Moyo who briefly diverted from his prepared speech as the guest of honour, said he concurred that the stadium was not user friendly.
“Something needs to be done and if we don’t do that we might be having a mental disability ourselves,” said Moyo.
He however did not say when those renovations are likely to take place.
Meanwhile, a total of $41 000 in pledges was raised during the launch with the giant coal mining town, Hwange and Binga Rural District councils pledging $15 000 each while Governor Mathuthu pledged $250.
Other pledges in kind included three beasts, two goats, 500 banners including T-shirts among other things.
The Local Organising Committee, whose chief executive officer is prominent Hwange Colliery engineer Victor Rakabopa has a budget of $300 000.
The fifth edition of the games will be held from 10-14 April and already, the local organising committee has identified various venues for both playing and accommodation.
Speaking at the same occasion Sport and Recreation Commission board member Obadiah Moyo said the April Games must match the benchmark already set by the strategic thrust.
“It is in this light that the SRC expects the Loc to spearhead resource mobilisation in order to effectively and efficiently host the Games so that people living with disabilities can enjoy the Games.
The SRC shall in the not too distant future derive much of the direction on how the Games are going to be hosted and managed from the National Sports Strategy that the Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture is spearheading,” said Moyo.
He said the strategy shall among other aspects address issues related to how Games of this magnitude shall be funded, hosted as well as having user friendly facilities that will also clarify the roles of various actors in  sport.