London Paralympic Games officially begin

desire to grab a medal on this grand occasion.
For Zimbabwe, Nyasha Mharakurwa spent Tuesday adjusting to his new wheelchair while Elliot Mujaji took to the tracks.
From Zimbabwe’s neighbours, Katongo Lasa, a Zambian middle-distance runner who could be fighting for honours with Mujaji, made it clear that he is targeting the gold medal at all costs.
“I have been doing well during the past years but I was not present at the All Africa Games due to educational commitments but I was, however, at the Games held in Beijing.
“I have been training that at least I come up with something at these Games but my own goal is a gold medal.
“I know that our friends from the developed countries have been running at every competition and are very much exposed.
“At least I have exposure according to my level of training in Zambia so that I can come up with something good,” he said.
Despite the financial demands, Lasa is happy his government has invested in him.
“According to our economy we have problems but what is important is that we are here, that the government has managed to send us.
“If there was nothing like that we would not be here. The gap between us and well to do countries is very big compared to funding as they have good facilities for training.
“But even though it might give them an advantage it depends on how much someone trains, they may have resources but we will                use our efforts even if it means to train without eating at the end of the day we manage to             win.
“We have come here to win not to lose,” he said. Nigeria’s 100m T46 specialist John Frank is aiming for the gold and he believes he will pick up from where he left in Beijing when he collected a silver medal.
“I am here and ready to win the gold, I have been at the All-Africa Games where I won a silver medal and here I am preparing for the Olympics, it is my aim to grab the medals, that is why I am here,” he said.
For Ghanaian’s Nkegbe Botsyo, competing in the T54 wheelchair athletics’ 100 and 400m, the Paralympic Games are more about leaving a legacy for generations to come and recognition of the disabled.
“We are here to compete and compete to leave a legacy for the people that will be coming. I have a message that everybody has something unique so there is need for support for that uniqueness to come out.
“In addition also that the disabled will always be there and people have to change their perceptions of people leaving with disability in Africa,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ambassador of Zimbabwe to London, Gabriel Machinga welcomed Team Zimbabwe at his residence and urged it to represent the country with honour and pride.
“Coming to London for the flag of Zimbabwe needs men and women of courage, commitment and vision therefore I salute Team Zimbabwe.
“Even though you might not see us physically during the competition we have Zimbabwe written in our hearts. You have inspired a generation to lift the flag of Zimbabwe and it’s a medal on its own,” he said.
The office of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, represented by Felicia Munjaidi, said sports now played a pivotal role in tourism and representing Zimbabwe at the Games meant the athletes are ambassadors for the nation.
“I am convinced that you will leave strides and memories that will last for a lifetime if only we carry the heart of our nation, the will to transform perceptions towards our country,” she said, reading a speech on behalf of ZTA chief Karikoga Kaseke.