adminThe London Paralympics Games Games will run from August 29 to September 9 with athletes from across the globe fighting for honours in 20 sporting disciplines.
Mharakurwa was picked for the 2012 London Games by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) last month after he failed to take part in the required number of international matches due to lack of resources.
He was allotted the bipartite commission slot for wheelchair tennis.
Mharakurwa, who is currently ranked 56th in the world, will enter the Games on an automatic qualification and will not need to be ranked in the top 46 to play in London.
Mharakurwa said he is excited to be one of the two athletes that will represent the country in London.
“I am excited to have the chance to represent my country at that level. It’s been a dream to do that for a long time,” said Mharakurwa.
The South Africa-based player said preparations are on course.
However, the Zimbabwe National Paralympic Committee is yet to provide the required resources for his preparations.
“In terms of preparations, we are getting there.
“It’s just that it is not up to the level we want but at least we are getting somewhere. I had hoped to start camp on July 5 (today) until July 14 in Bulawayo with Petros
Ndlovu but the ZNPC have said they are waiting for their budget to be approved.
“They asked me what I wanted for my preparations and I was hoping there will be a definite answer when I came here. It’s a situation where you are sitting here but you want to be working and in terms of getting ready it’s getting late and I cannot stay the whole week without training.
“Sometimes it puts pressure on me because at the end of the day when I go to the Games, people want results because they don’t know the challenges you are facing,” said Mharakurwa.
Mharakurwa said there is need for the responsible authorities to play their part as the team prepares for the Paralympic Games.
“At a personal level, I am fit because I have been training since the beginning of the year. I would have wanted to play some matches before the Games but if I don’t get the chance to play many matches then I will be under pressure when I get to play more matches at the Games.
“Some countries take years preparing their athletes for these Games and for us it’s already a bit late.
“It’s a bit of a disadvantage for athletes from Zimbabwe to go and face people who have been preparing for months. Maybe that underdog tag will help us do well.
“We are not just going to relax,” said Mharakurwa.
At the 2012 Paralympics Games, Mharakurwa will be representing the country together with sprinter Elliot Mujaji who was also picked for the Games under the universality wildcard entry for the 100m event.
Online Reporter