Mutare sporting festival on

Ray Bande Mutare Bureau
MARYMOUNT Teachers College in Mutare will be a hive of activity when the third edition of the Zimbabwe Tertiary Institutions Sports Union Paralympic Games gets underway tomorrow. Teams from different parts of the country are expected to arrive in Mutare today.

The theme for the 2017 ZITISU Paralympic Games is ‘Promoting health and wellness through sport’.

ZITISU president Martin Zibwi said all was set for the annual event.

“We are happy to announce that the third edition of the ZITISU Paralympic Games will roll into life tomorrow (Friday). The teams are expected to arrive in Mutare today.

“This is the third edition of the event and it is in line with the idea of inclusivity as espoused in our education policy as tertiary institutions.

”We are going to have classification and accreditation on Friday morning before we have the games start in the afternoon.

“On Saturday we will have the Games, selected disciplines that would not have been finished by Friday, continuing. We will have our official opening and medal presentation ceremony on Sunday.

“We are going to lobby that these Games be played at a higher level for those participants that would have excelled. Just like their counterparts in the ZITISU Games that go on to take part in the CUCSA Games, outstanding teams and players in the Paralympic Games also need that opportunity,” he said.

Head of the Local Organising Committee Joshua Matume said more than 300 athletes are expected for the event.

“We are expecting more than 300 athletes for this event. They are coming as three sub associations that make up ZITISU. We have no doubt that all the groundwork has been done and all is set for the event,’ said Matume.

Marymount Teachers College principal Petty Silitshena said the college was ready to host the athletes and officials.

“We are more than ready for the Games. Our LOC has been working overtime and all is set for the Games. As usual Marymount will offer a home away from home environment to participants in these Games,” she said.