adminZimbabwe that was this week named for the 10th All-Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique, early next month.
The Games will run from September 3 to 18 with 48 countries expected to compete in 23 sporting disciplines.
Zimbabwe will compete in athletics, basketball (women), boxing, chess, cycling, football (women), judo, karate, netball, sailing, swimming, table tennis, tennis, taekwondo, triathlon and sports for people with disabilities.
Team Zimbabwe’s chef de mission for the Maputo Games Custom Kachambwa said both the team’s preparations and participation at the Games will be catered for by the Government.
He, however, said those interested in supporting the team are welcome to assist as they require a lot of money to cover all the expenses.
“The principal sponsor of the Games is the Government. We have a budget of US$727 000 and it’s a very big budget compared to our economy and we are encouraging anyone who can support to
come on board.
“We have just been informed that we need more funds,” said Kachambwa.
The money will be used for the preparations towards the Games, travelling expenses, food and accommodation, among other things.
Kachambwa said most of the foreign-based athletes such as United States based sprinter Gabriel Mvumvure, will join the rest of the team in Mozambique.
“Most of them are going direct to Mozambique. For instance, athletics will be having a competition elsewhere when the Games start and some of our athletes in the athletics team will go directly to Mozambique and it’s Government-funded,” said Kachambwa.
Kachambwa said they are expecting to reap more medals at this year’s All-Africa Games after announcing a strong team of 170 athletes on Monday. At the last All-Africa Games, which were hosted by Algeria in 2007, Team Zimbabwe reaped 23 medals – seven gold, eight silvers and as many bronze.
Most of the medals came from the swimming team, which was led by the irreplaceable Kirsty Coventry.
“We are expecting more medals now that we have more experienced athletes. We have athletes who have been to the All-Africa Games two or three times before.
“We have athletes who have been doing well of late, for instance track and field star Ngoni Makusha, and should do well at the Maputo Games,” added Kachambwa.
The chef de mission also said they are finalising accreditation of the team.
“We are finalising accreditation and we should be through by Monday next week. In fact all documents have been finalised and sent and accreditation is almost complete. “It’s only that there are small issues we wanted to clarify, some of the pictures did not have names written on their back,” said Kachambwa. The team is expected to get into camp on August 24 at Belvedere Technical Teachers College in Harare and leave for Maputo on August 31 on a chartered flight by Air Zimbabwe.
Online Reporter