Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
A new chapter is unfolding for Zimbabwe’s Paralympic movement, as the country’s National Paralympic Committee (ZNPC) has been selected among 50 associations worldwide to benefit from a special international development grant — an opportunity expected to reshape the future of para sport at every level.
The announcement was made during the International Paralympic Committee’s (IPC) 22nd General Assembly and Conference, held recently in Seoul, South Korea, which brought together more than 400 delegates from across the globe. Among them was ZNPC President Witness Magulula, whose participation delivered encouraging news for Zimbabwe’s para-athletes.
“Zimbabwe is among the 50 NPCs that is going to be supported under the IPC Development Model. This initiative will see Zimbabwe receiving funding for national development camps, para sport festivals, and community-based training programmes. The model helps increase grassroots participation, expand access to para sport training, and nurture national-level athletes — strengthening the entire para ecosystem from the ground up,” said Magulula upon his return.
Magulula added that Zimbabwe also stands to benefit from a Mobility Grant aimed at improving accessibility and upgrading sporting infrastructure.
“There is also a possibility for NPC Zimbabwe to receive a Mobility Grant from IPC, which can be used to develop para sport facilities or make existing ones accessible to para-athletes. It will also receive equipment support that will go a long way in capacitating the ZNPC,” he said.
This breakthrough aligns closely with the Government’s renewed push for inclusivity in sport. Through the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, the State has reaffirmed its commitment to creating equal sporting opportunities under the National Sport and Recreation Policy.
At the recently held Danhiko Annual Games in Harare, Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Anselem Sanyatwe, commended the Danhiko Project and its partners for their long-standing role in nurturing para-athletes.
“Let me extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Danhiko Project, whose visionary leadership and tireless efforts have brought us to this remarkable milestone. 35 years of consistent dedication to empowering persons with disabilities through sport is no small feat.
“You have provided a platform where talent flourishes, barriers are broken, and every athlete is seen, heard, and celebrated,” said Sanyatwe.
Danhiko Project spokesperson Fransisca Kumbemba welcomed the new international backing, describing it as timely and transformative.
“Let me begin by saluting our all-weather friends who have supported us through and through in our toil. The arrival of international funding will help us in many ways.
“We have produced several internationally acclaimed champions like Elliot Majani, and with this renewed support, we believe we can go even further,” she said.
For Zimbabwe’s para-athletes, this moment represents more than just funding—it marks the beginning of a renewal. After years of limited resources and slow progress, the movement now stands at the threshold of real transition — one that promises to build stronger structures, expand participation, and inspire the next generation of champions.
