W/chair basketball trip in doubt

Sports Reporter
THE national wheelchair basketball team’s trip to Angola for the World Championship qualifiers hangs in the balance as they are struggling to raise enough money for the travel expenses.
The Zimbabwe side need about US$40 000 to cover all the expenses for the trip, including airfares.
The two-week tournament takes off tomorrow.

The team has been in camp for the past two weeks but they face the possibility of failing to travel as they are finding it difficult to raise funds to participate in the world qualifiers.

The main event is scheduled for next year in South Korea.
The top four teams from these qualifiers will play each other to decide the final two countries that will progress to the championships next year to represent Africa.

The team’s representative, Kelvin Makura, said they were appealing to the Government and some Good Samaritans to come and assist them.
“The qualifiers were supposed to start today but we appealed to the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation to postpone to October 26th because we did not have the registration fee.

“We had to deposit US$5 000 for registration and we owe them US$3 000 from a previous tournament the Under-23 participated in.
“The team has been in camp for the past two weeks and we have been using our personal funds. Some of the players in Bulawayo failed to come because there was no money. We are appealing for assistance from the Government and the corporate world. This is an urgent issue, we need about US$40 000, including the airfares and players’ allowances, because we used our own money to assist each other during camp.
“We are not going there as a club but as a national team.

“If we do not go we will be fined US$5 000 and will be banned for 10 years. Right now we are ranked third in Africa and if we fail to go it will be a disaster because most of the countries will compete in Angola,” said Makura.

Most of the team players were disappointed saying they always make personal sacrifices to represent the nation in various tournaments but sponsors do not seem to appreciate their efforts. John Mugura urged the nation to come on board and support people living with disabilities as they seek to make an impact in sport.

“We do not get money by playing basketball, we are not worried about allowances as players, we are doing it for the passion of the sport.
“If we go for these qualifiers, we can qualify to go to South Korea next year and I know we can do it,” said Mugura. Team coach, Job Kumunda, said despite the challenges, morale was high in camp.