Team Zim in London

pres­ence of individual countries at a cere­mony that symbolised the legacy to be left by participating countries.
As per tradition, the International Paralympic Committee hosts this cer­emony as a way to officially receive countries who will be participating at these Games.
The procession began with various dance acts that later led to  Loeffler addressing the nations before the national anthem was played as the flag was hoisted.
Zimbabwe was represented by the Ambassador of Zimbabwe to Britain, Gabriel Machinga, Felicia Munjaidi from the Zimbabwe Tourism Author­ity and Team Zimbabwe’s chef de mis­sion Lewis Garaba.
Athletes Nyasha Mharakurwa and Elliot Mujaji, and their respective coaches, Dereck Ndaramashe and Amon Nyaundi, and physiotherapist Olivia Gwaze completed the team.
Holding their nation’s legacy in pride, the team wore hats made of reed to symbolise them being workhorses at the Paralympic Games that are set to begin today.
Team Zimbabwe’s chef de mission Garaba then signed on the glass pillars erected on the platform as evidence of a legacy left by the Zimbabwean team of having graced the grand occasion.
The ceremony is also a platform to celebrate athletes as individuals ahead of competitions and to make them feel as winners whether they will be able to grab medals or not. Garaba said the hats that they wore meant they are at the Games to work hard and prove that they are not present to make up the numbers.
“We did not wear those hats for fun but just like one who tends cattle in the field, we are here to work hard and ensure that these Games become as memorable as they can be for us.
“We believe this is a legacy we will leave for our future generation of ath­letes to come,” he said.
Mharakurwa, who is making his debut at the London Paralympic Games as a wheelchair tennis player, said the ceremony had made him feel just like a winner despite whatever would be the outcome of the competi­tion. This was such a great feeling to being honoured and having everyone bringing their attention to you. Also the emphasis that we all remain win­ners despite those who fail to get medals as the spirit of sport is more than that. It made me want even more to grab that medal and hear the national anthem being sung while the world is at a stand still.”
Nyaundi said it was a time when nations got to be recognised no matter how far and wide they came from.
“You know there are nations that might not be known at all and proba­bly Zimbabwe was one of them and this reception does well to give recog­nition to every nation and we feel comfortable as sportspersons despite the geographical divide between us.”
Meanwhile, it seems like a week of welcoming ceremonies as Team Zim­babwe was yesterday expected to be hosted by Ambassador Machinga at his residence.
This will be followed by the 2012 London Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony tonight.
The Mayor of the Paralympic Vil­lage confirmed that tickets to the event have been sold out paving way for another spectacular occasion that succeeds the main Olympic Games.
“It’s a complete sell-out and we should have great competition and wonderful audiences.”
There are 96 disciplines in which athletes will compete in and these include athletics, archery, cycling, equestrian, football’s five-a-side and seven-a-side, judo, powerlifting, row­ing, sailing, wheelchair volleyball, swimming and table tennis, among others. Zimbabwe are only repre­sented in wheelchair tennis and athlet­ics at the 2012 London Paralympic Games.