The Sunday Mail
Veronica Gwaze
YOUNG Pride Mafira is set to add another feather to his cap when he tackles the Econet Victoria Falls Marathon today.
The 13 year old blade athlete, whose story is charming the world, will attempt to complete 7, 5 kilometers.
“At first when I got the invitation, I was skeptical but I told myself that I had to man up and prepare for the big race,” said the Prince Edward School student who is also set to feature in a documentary produced by Rocio Spain News.
The Spanish news agency said they found Mafira’s story, published in last weekend’s edition of this paper, to be inspiring.
“We are looking for athletes with a powerful story, stories of solidarity, effort or/ and personal improvement. We would love to hear the story of people who find in sport a higher goal to pursue and something to believe in…we found your story inspiring for us,” reads a letter Rocio Spain News sent to Mafira last week.
But before he can think about the documentary the teenager wants to put up a show in his home town.
“This race gives me a great chance to expose myself to the world and I have been working hard in preparation for it,” he said.
“Together with my sports teacher Mr Jimu we have been putting in a lot of work and I am just hoping that it will show in Vic Falls.”
However Mafira expressed concern over his blade which urgently needs to be replaced.
“I am afraid my blade will affect my performance because it is now small and the socket no longer fits well causing me to stagger sometimes.
“The blade was supposed to have been changed in January but we failed due to financial challenges. My father is unemployed father and also has to pay school fees for myself and my siblings,” he said.
