Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
A new chapter is opening for Zimbabwe’s Paralympic movement. The country’s National Paralympic Committee 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 22nd General Assembly and Conference held recently in Seoul, South Korea, which drew more than 400 delegates from across the globe. Among them was Zimbabwe National Paralympic Committee (ZNPC) president Witness Magulula, whose presence yielded encouraging news for the nation’s athletes.
“Zimbabwe is among the 50 NPCs that is going to be supported under the IPC Development Model,” said Magulula upon his return. “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.”
Magulula added that Zimbabwe also stands to receive a Mobility Grant to improve accessibility and upgrade sporting infrastructure. “There is also a possibility for NPC Zimbabwe to receive from IPC a Mobility Grant that can be used to develop para sport facilities or make the existing facilities 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 own renewed push for inclusivity in sport. Through the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, the State has been reaffirming 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,” said Minister Sanyatwe. “Thirty five 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.”
Danhiko Project spokesperson Fransisca Kumbemba welcomed the new international backing, calling it timely and transformative.
“Let me begin by saluting our all weather friends who have supported us through and through in our toil,” she said. “The coming in of the international funding will also help us in so many ways. We have produced several internationally acclaimed champions like Elliot Mujaji, and with this renewed support, we believe we can go even further.”
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.
