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Raymond Jaravaza
Ia��M playing for the inclusion of all disabled people in Zimbabwea�?.
It might not be the glamorous, mega rich and globally revered FIFA World Cup but for eight Zimbabweans preparing to take part in the Homeless World Cup in Glasgow, Scotland, the annual event is a potentially life changing event.
For Blessing Makirimira, a deaf football player born in a family of nine, the chance to showcase his soccer talent at a world stage is more than just competing but also about fighting stigmatisation and exclusion suffered by disabled people.
a�?Growing up in a Marondera township I was the Robbie Fowler (Liverpool and England football legend) playing football in the dusty streets and my dream was to don the red jersey and walk out of the dugout at Anfield Stadium,a�? said Makirimira.
But that dream was shattered before it was realised.
a�?Upon finishing high school I had big dreams but Zimbabwe like in many societies, people with disabilities are faced with social exclusion and stigmatisation resulting in their aspirations and dreams being shattered before there are even realised,a�? he said.
The Homeless World Cup is an annual tournament organised by the Homeless World Cup Organization, a social institution that advocates the end of homelessness through football.
It is scheduled for 10-16 July in Glasgow, Scotland.
It is definitely not your normal football tournament a�� as characterized by some outrageous 14-0 score lines that read like basketball results a�� yet it brings joys and hope to the players who come from some of the worlda��s most squalid townships and slums.
And that does not stop the Zimbabwean players from dreaming to scale to greater heights, if not in football then in improving their lives.
a�?Life as a street vendor is hard, the communication barrier makes it harder for me. I have adapted and learnt a lot on the streets. The police sometimes do come and confiscate our wares, we brave the sun and rain just to try to earn a living but still have not lost the dream of a better life,a�? he said.
You know you are watching something extra ordinary when Afghanistan are listed among the favourites to lift the Homeless World Cup, Italy play India a�� a country not known for its soccer exploits on the world stage -A� and players dance for fans at half time.
Zimbabwe is sending two teams, four men and the same number of women and is in Group F with South Korea, Belgium, Hungary, Namibia and Portugal.
Team Zimbabwe coordinator Petros Chatiza is optimistic the team will be granted visas to travel to Europe. Financial backing to cover air travel and allowances for the players has been hard to come by.
a�?So far we have a pledge for four air tickets and we are keeping our fingers crossed that the team will be granted visas to travel to Scotland,a�? said Chatiza.
In 2008 nine players disappeared in Australia with the then coach Chatiza being the only person to return to Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe
Farai Mtetwa (coach), Ranganai Kuseka (manager), Blessings Mugove, Tafadzwa Keith Mhizha, Morris Chawanda, Matthew Mukundwa, Grayson Petros, Russell Maumbe, Maradzike Harare, Evelyn Karasa
Online Reporter