Tinaye Agere
Sports Reporter
THE Special Olympics motto reads: “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave enough to attempt.” That motto is the credo that Team Zimbabwe hopes take to Germany for the World Summer Games.
The team leaves for Berlin today, with the 16th edition of the Special Olympics World Summer Games slated for June 17-25.
Approximately 7 000 athletes and unified partners from approximately 170 countries are expected to compete in 24 different sporting codes. This year’s competition is running under the theme “#UnbeatableTogether”. Zimbabwe are sending a delegation of 31, including 12 athletes who will compete in golf, bocce and athletics.
Lillian Chikara has been appointed head of delegation, while Daphane Hove is her assistant. The travelling party also includes Nyasha Derera, the Global Athletes Congress chairperson; and Barbara Njovo, the African Region health liaison officer.
John Muringani will officiate at the World Games, while Clemence Duri and Owen Makaruwa are the team doctor and international invited guest, respectively.
The quintet of Tadiwanashe Ndoro, Tinaye Hlangabeza, Modestar Kapamutengo, Brenda Gambiza and Tariro Mutosvori will compete in athletics. Taurai Muboko has been appointed the athletics head coach and will be deputised by Tabetha Sibanda.
Maita Nyarota and Berita Phiri are the bocce coach and assistant, in that order.
They will oversee the athlitics pair of Angeline Goremusandu and Kaylynn Chikara.
The golf head coach and assistant are Shorai Murungweni and Dadirai Nyamhandu, respectively, while the athletes include Faith Mavhunga, Daniel Musekiwa, Lloyd Dube and Hilda Kamalizeni.
John Muringani, Special Olympics Zimbabwe’s national sports director, was in high spirits yesterday ahead of the team’s departure.
“This is an oath in which we are saying that our athletes have actually prepared enough and are ready to face any challenge that will come their way,” said Muringani, in reference to the Special Olympics’ oath.
“In terms of preparing for these Games, the ground is quite level as we got a lot of support from the SRC (Sports and Recreation Commission) and Royal Golf Club, who allow us, athletes, to train at the best possible facilities (National Sports Stadium and the golf course).
“We are well-prepared; the team is geared up and ready for the Games,” he said.
So confident is Muringani that he is hoping for a better medal count than Zimbabwe’s previous haul, which stands at 15, from the 2019 edition in Abu Dhabi.
“We definitely expect to bring back more medals than the ones we brought back at the 2019 edition of the Games.
“Looking at my athletes; they are all in shape, and the coaches have been working hard to ensure we put our best foot forward.
“The morale in camp is quite high and everyone is keen and looking forward to the competition,” he said.
Away from the action, two key programmes will be held on the sidelines of the 2023 Special Olympics World Summer Games, and these are the Global Youth Leadership Summit (GYLS) and the Global Athlete Congress (GAC).
The GYLS brings together young people with and without intellectual disability (ID) from all over the world on a single global youth leadership platform to develop the skills they need to become agents of change in their communities.
Zimbabwe will be represented by Tanyaradzwa Kaseke, Vimbai Njovo and Amanda Chemhere, with the summit scheduled for June 14-20.
GAC, which will also take place between June 14-20, is a platform where Special Olympics athletes lead the way to a more inclusive world. It is expected to attract participants from countries like Zimbabwe, Kenya, Zambia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, South Africa, Mauritius, Namibia and Nigeria.
Marian Moseni and Njovo are expected to represent Zimbabwe.
Online Reporter