Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
THE three-day Zimbabwe National Paralympics Games, which were scheduled to start on April 5 in Gwanda, have now been brought forward to April 1.
According to Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) spokesperson Tirivashe Nheweyembwa, the move to bring the games forward was triggered by the early closure of schools.
“The idea is to avoid having provinces keeping athletes in camp for too long. Provinces are already financially challenged and burdening them further with camping costs will make their situation even worse,” said Nheweyembwa.
He said teams were now expected in Gwanda on March 31.
“We will have three days of competition. Teams are expected in Gwanda on March 31 and depart on April 4.”
The games will be held at Pelandaba Stadium, Blanket Mine, Colleen Bawn, Vumbachikwe Mine and St Christopher’s Primary School.
Meanwhile, Matabeleland North province has been forced to reduce the number of athletes to the Games due to financial constraints after senior education officials in the province reportedly refused to fundraise for the team arguing that sport now had a stand-alone ministry.
Matabeleland North SRC representative Newman Masuku said they would send 40 athletes and pay $2,000 in affiliation fees.
“We usually rely on funds from our education colleagues through civvies day fundraising, but this time they flatly refused and told us that we are a separate ministry and could therefore not get any assistance from them.”
He said they would also send a netball team for hearing impaired athletes for the first time.
Masuku said they had secured transport for Team Matabeleland North, but had to fuel it themselves.
The province will pin its medal hopes on Menziwethu Nyoni from Nkayi , Charity Sibanda from Umguza and Marvel Moyo from Tsholotsho, who have always done well.