Geophrey Sifani Sports Reporter
BULAWAYO-based Leopard Sports Academy president Melusi Nyoni is appealing to the public and well-wishers to assist them field a team in the annual Danhiko Paralympic Games in Harare that run from September 30 to October 4. The academy was formed in April to promote sporting activities for people living with disabilities in the city.
It has registered a four-member goalball team comprising Nyoni, Arnold Sibanda, Dominic Siyamukupa and Spencer Mukwena for the games as they could not raise registration fees for other disciplines on offer. Goalball is a sport exclusively for athletes with visual impairments and consists of two halves of 12 minutes each.
The objective of the game is to roll the ball into the opposite goal while opposing players try to block the ball with their bodies.
Bells inside the balls help orient the players, indicating the direction of the on-coming ball, so complete silence is required in the venue while play is in progress to allow players to instantly react to the ball.
“We’re struggling as a team to secure funds. We’re in need of funding to help us participate in these games. We’re ready for the games, but at this point we’re at crossroads as we have no funds to travel to Harare as our academy is still young,” said Nyoni.
He said they were looking at a budget of about $900 to cater for their travelling, accommodation, tracksuits and food for the duration of their stay.