adminLynnia Ndlovu in Gwanda
NATIONAL Paralympics Games hosts Matabeleland South have started preparations for the 2016 edition of the championships which will be staged here from 5 to 9 April with an Awareness and Advocacy campaign that includes marketing and fundraising activities. The Games will be staged at Phelandaba Stadium and already the Gwanda Municipality has started work to spruce up the venue ahead of the event. Town Clerk Priscillah Nkala said they had already sent an SOS for donations to local business entities and mines in the province.
“We are gathering resources to rehabilitate the stadium, build ramps for those who will be using wheelchairs and other facilities that will be user friendly to the physically challenged participants. PPC promised to donate cement and we are waiting for donations from other companies, our main duty is to see that the grounds will be up to date for the games,’’ said Nkala, adding that they would organise an awareness civic reception as an acknowledgment that that the province was hosting the high profile event.
The town council has also promised to make entry fees to the stadium affordable and other costs to be paid by the hosts. Provincial Administrator Midard Khumalo said though the preparations had started late, they would work as a team to stage successful games.
“We started late to prepare for the games but we are working together to improve the host promise in terms of the grounds, food and accommodation.
“We are gathering all that is needed to raise funds and we are looking forward to meeting the target of $300 000,” said Khumalo.
“The (local organising) committee has started working effectively and we hope by the end of this month there will be a great change concerning the games and we are thinking positive about it.”
The host province is appealing for more donations so that the event is a success.
derick.khumalo