Fatima Bulla
Double Paralympic gold medallist Elliot Mujaji received a major boost from local company Murowa Diamonds as he prepares for another dance at the games set for August 29 to September 9 in London.

With the Zimbabwe National Paralympic Committee struggling to shoulder the preparatory expenses for Mujaji and wheelchair tennis ace Nyasha Mharakurwa, Murowa Diamonds’ sponsorship of a full training kit that  includes track suits, shoes, T-shirts and transport for the Zvishavane-based athlete has come in handy.
The 100m specialist said he could heave a sigh of relief following Murowa Diamonds’ support though much still needs to be done to make the journey to London bearable.

“I am grateful for what Murowa Diamonds has done for me as they have come in handy considering the expenses that one incurs when preparing for the Olympics. We should be leaving for the Olympics on the August 20 in preparation for the competition that begins eight days later.  Murowa Diamonds has lifted a burden but I also still need help with more finances for such items as refreshments which the training requires.

“Hopefully, more sponsors can come through for us as we are also family men and, as long as financial constraints arise, concentration becomes a challenge,” he said.
Feeling positive about his chances at the Olympics, Mujaji said history was beckoning once more, as it did in the 2000 Paralympics in Sydney where he became the first Zimbabwean to win a gold medal.

“I have been training well as I have not experienced any injuries and I hope that remains until competition time. I have no doubt that I am going to London to collect a medal for Zimbabwe,” he added.
Murowa Diamonds’ Managing Director Zebra Kasete said the sponsorship is aligned with the company’s Education in Sport Programme which supports schools in local communities while at the national level it supports the National Youth Games through the Midlands and Masvingo provinces.

“The company runs an extensive community development programme which focuses on education, community health, capacity building and skills transfer, improved food security, business development and economic empowerment. These programmes benefit close to 50 000 people in a footprint covering six wards in Zimbabwe,” he said.

Mujaji’s road to being Zimbabwe’s Paralympic medal hopeful has been bumpy. In 1998, he qualified to compete at the Commonwealth Games

before suffering severe burns in an electrical accident while working for his previous employer. His right arm was amputated, and he remained in a coma for two months.
Mujaji, who has previously bemoaned society’s negative attitude towards the development of sport for the physically challenged, hoisted

Zimbabwe’s flag high when he collected gold at the 2004 Paralympics in Athens.
He also represented Zimbabwe at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, competing in the 100 metres and 200 metres sprints but could not collect any medal with his run being marred by injury troubles.

Last year, he had a disappointing outing at the All-Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique, where he could not bring home a medal after emerging fifth in the first heat.