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Ellina Mhlanga Harare Bureau
SPORT for people living with disabilities team manager Reward Zvinavashe says the African Games, which get underway today in Congo Brazzaville, are a platform for them to profile their sport.

The Games start today with the opening ceremony at New Kintele Stadium.

However, some of Zimbabwe’s athletes will miss the ceremony as the team is travelling in batches as and when they are competing.

The continental event is running up to September 19 with participants competing in 22 sporting disciplines.

And some of the disciplines that are still in the country include sports for people living with the disability and judo.

Zimbabwe will compete in 11 disciplines —athletics, beach volleyball, cycling, judo, karate, football, gymnastics, sport for people living with disabilities, swimming, taekwondo and tennis

Zvinavashe said they will be fielding four athletes in athletics — Sheperd Gumede, Ilucky, Laina Sithole and Faustina Madziva and will do their best to bring back home some medals.

“As team Zimbabwe with regards to the para athletes we need to go to Congo Brazzaville and make an impact.

“Sport for people living with disabilities is looked down upon so as a result we are looking forward to Congo Brazzaville and hope to come back with medals because that is the only we can profile our sport.

“Disability does not mean inability, there is an ability in disability. We want to go there and come back with medals.

“In terms of preparations we have done a lot, for the past three months athletes were in camp and they are still in camp,” said Zvinavashe.

Zvinavashe said only Sithole has been to the Games before in 2011 where she came fourth in the 100m visually impaired.

“Having Laina in the fold may mean that she might do better than her previous performance. We have new guys, Sheperd, Iluck and Faustina but they are all potential medalists.