The Sunday Mail
Harare province has submitted a budget proposal of $300 000 towards the hosting of the 8th edition of the Zimbabwe National Paralympic Games set for April next year.
According to the budget breakdown, the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture and the local organising committee are each expected to raise half of the total amount as Harare hosts the games for the first time.
Provincial co-ordinator for the ZNPG, Christopher Katore said the games involve a number of complexities as a result of needs for athletes with physical and mental challenges.
“We have to make sure that facilities are user friendly for those that are blind, move with wheelchairs among other challenges. Our aim is also to make sure that everything is in place so that accreditation and the programme is clearly laid out and we prevent unnecessary delays.
“Because disorganisation has repercussions especially for people with different physical and mental challenges who have special requirements like diet, you need to ensure that all is done in time,” Katore said.
Minister of State for Harare, Miriam Chikukwa is the patron as the province hosts the games for the first time. The local organising committee consists of various sub-committees led by chief executive Nathaniel Madzivanyika.
The committee will be responsible for protocol, publicity, transport, accommodation, catering, accreditation, fundraising, resource mobilisation, venues, finance, medical, administration, results compilation, security and logistics among other tasks.
While dates for the games are yet to be announced, Katore said the local organising committee has already stepped up preparations for the games.
“Today the ZNPG Committee will be celebrating the Olympic Day at the Chitungwiza Town Centre.
“Various sporting activities that include goal ball, netball, football, volleyball for the disabled are scheduled for the day.
“In addition, the local organising committee will also take this time to bring awareness to the community about the preparations that are in progress for the games next year.
“We hope to raise interest even from corporates so that they can support these games,” Katore said.
The Olympic Day, which will be graced by Sport, Arts and Culture Deputy Minister Tabitha Kanengoni-Malinga, is running under the theme “Changing Lives Through Participation in Paralympic Sport”.
The ZNPG is the premier sporting tournament for the disabled persons in Zimbabwe as it brings together athletes and officials from the 10 provinces of Zimbabwe.
The Sports and Recreation Commission introduced the ZNPG following the adopted Policy for Inclusion in Sport.
Before these games, Sport for People with a Disability were being run as separate sport activities by the specific Associations for the disabled sports.
