adminSikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe National Paralympics Games are part of a deliberate national strategy by government to stimulate mass participation in sport by all.
Bulawayo Metropolitan Provincial Affairs Minister Nomthandazo Eunice-Moyo told a send off ceremony for Team Bulawayo at Eveline High School yesterday that Paralympics Games are a conduit for the province’s national social integration with other provinces.
“You are actually embarking on a very important ambassadorial role on behalf of our beautiful province. I stand proud of you that indeed you are going to match past other provinces and bring home the good success stories and medals that will position Bulawayo in pole position,” said Minister Moyo in a speech read on her behalf by Bulawayo provincial education director Dan Moyo.
She said the athletes have been given a platform to showcase their talent that will find its way into national teams for the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Under-20 Games in Angola at the end of the year, as well as the Africa Games and Rio 2016 Paralympics Games.
Unlike in Matabeleland North where education officials turned down a fundraising request by the provincial team, Minister Moyo thanked the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and the Bulawayo Games local organising committee led by businessman and philanthropist Raj Modi for taking a leading role in mobilising resources for the team.
“That spirit is highly commendable; let us keep up that unity of purpose even in other upcoming events and if we continue working as a team, Bulawayo will prosper,” she said.
Team Bulawayo comprises 109 athletes to compete in football, netball, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair tennis, athletics and goal ball in four categories (hearing impaired, visually impaired, intellectually impaired and physically challenged athletes).
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