adminGeophrey Sifani Sports Reporter
TSHELAYENYEMBA High School in Maphisa seeks support from well-wishers to assist 400M runner Patience “Ziyaphapha” Ngwenya raise $3,700 for airfares to participate in the World Youth Championships to be held in Cali, Colombia, from July 12-21.
Ngwenya is part of the Under-17 National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (Naaz) team for the meet.
According to Naaz first vice-president responsible for development Enias Nhoro, Naaz has no money to purchase air tickets for the athletes and have been depending on parents sponsoring their children for the event for the past five years.
“We spoke to the parents of each athlete to assist in paying for their children’s tickets and they have been cooperating very well,” said Nhoro.
He said accommodation and food in Colombia would be catered for by the organisers of the event.
Tshelayenyemba headmaster Ezekiel Hleza said Ngwenya is the first athlete in the history of the school to qualify for such a prestigious international event and it would be a huge personal blow for her if she fails to travel.
The school has only managed to raise $600 administration fees to Naaz, but the $3,700 for the ticket is beyond their reach.
“Ngwenya is the best 400M sprinter nationally in her age group with a record of 56.84 seconds. She beat the previous record of 57.02 seconds,” said Hleza.
The Form 4 pupil emerged as the best in the 400M race at the National Association of Secondary School Heads (Nash) competitions held in March.
Ngwenya has also competed in Lesotho and Mauritius under Nash sponsorship.
Besides the 400M event, Ngwenya is in the Zimbabwe 4X400M medley relay team for the World Youth Championships.
She is supposed to fly out of the country this Sunday, but financial constraints could ground her.
Hleza appealed to the corporate sector and the public to assist in raising money for her air ticket to Cali.
“Ziyaphapha has raised our school flag at district, provincial, national and international level. I want nothing but the best for her,” said Hleza.
Ngwenya said: “I’m very happy to have made it this far. I promise to do my best in all competitions. I also want to pursue athletics professionally.”
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