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Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
BULAWAYO-based Zifa regional commissioner Mqondisi Siziba is concerned about difficulties faced by people living with disabilities in accessing the country’s football stadia.
Siziba, who uses a wheelchair after his leg was amputated in 2016, said the stadia are not friendly to them and they are always at the mercy of the able-bodied who have to help them.
He said there was a lack of understanding that there is a significant demand for people living with disabilities to enjoy equal access to sports.
“The biggest challenge is getting to a stadium with no facility that allows persons with disabilities to access the dressing rooms or get a vantage point. In such a scenario, it becomes difficult to carry out my duties. I believe a lot needs to be done to ensure that our stadia are friendly to the disabled. Our stadia should be all inclusive,” said Siziba.
A former referee, Siziba was first appointed match commissioner in 2018 due to his experience as a referee.
“I started refereeing in the lower leagues in 2010 after going through all the necessary courses. I had previously played football for Buffaloes as a goalkeeper. That is the only team I played for in my career.
“I got injured in a road traffic accident in 2016 when I was based in Mashonaland East. I was coming from a match between Banket FC and Chinhoyi FC when the accident happened. My leg was infected with what is called gangrene, which meant I had to be amputated,” he said.
Siziba said that was the most difficult time of his life and it took him some time to accept that he was now disabled.
“Football is my passion and I couldn’t accept that I was now in a situation where I could not participate in the game. I would go to football matches telling myself that I am going there to participate despite my condition. It was a traumatic and emotional experience.
I am grateful to the referees’ committee because they did not dump me when I was going through that difficult time, but instead facilitated that I attend a match commissioners’ course. My wish is to progress further in this role and move to national level or even go abroad in future.”
Siziba’s work involves enforcing the laws of the organisers’ competition and ensure that all laws of the game are followed. – @innocentskizoe
Online Reporter