Sports Reporter
A DISTRICT Paralympic Committee was established in Tsholotsho on Tuesday afternoon at the end of a Plan International-sponsored workshop. The two-day seminar was held to conscientise teachers drawn from 15 schools who are expected to go on and spearhead the integration of pupils living with disabilities into organised and structured sport.

Athletes from the district’s initiative are expected to feed into the provincial team that takes part in the Zimbabwe National Paralympic Games.

The district athletes received a big boost when a Plan International officer Dennis Mafukidze announced that they would provide support to them for the Danhiko Games set for October.

Matabeleland North Sport and Recreation Commission co-ordinator Newman Masuku described the workshop as a success.

“We now have a working committee in Tsholotsho thanks to the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture and our sponsoring partner Plan International. This is a pilot phase,” said Masuku.

He said the province despite boasting a number of resources, was finding it difficult to participate in major national events. Masuku highlighted their plight as a province which had seen him take just three athletes to national championships last year.

He said those did not disappoint as they managed to bring medals to the province.

Tauya Simbanegavi, the provincial physiotherapist who was one of the resource persons at the workshop, called on Zimbabweans to use the right terms when referring to people with disabilities. He said most that are in common use tended to be derogatory.

Another presenter Sister Balbino Muchazorega of Mzingwane District, called on the community to create a conducive environment filled with love for people living with disabilities. She said talent could be identified through organising cluster or village competitions.

Bhekuzulu Khumalo, a sports scientist with the National University of Science and Technology, called on organisers of events for people with disabilities to adjust. He said more often people were forcing themselves into disciplines that cost a fortune citing wheelchair basketball where one wheelchair costs in excess of $2,000.

A discipline like sitting volleyball, he said, was very cheap to set up.

Many have fared badly because of the use of equipment of an inferior quality.

Among the subjects touched on were types of disabilities, role of organisations like Plan International, Paralympic Concept, structure of Paralympic Movement and Barriers, sport codes, classification, doping/antidoping, role of social services in supporting sport for people with disabilities, Paralympic Sport event management at cluster level and critical milestones for monitoring and evaluation.

Thabani Nkomo, the headmaster of Dinyane Secondary School is the district chairperson and is deputised by Ruth Phiri.

Prospect Tokoyo is the secretary with Mthabisi Ngwenya her deputy.

The treasurer is Patient Ndlovu.

Committee members: H Mhlanga (Dikili Secondary School), L Banda (Tsholotsho High School), S Ndlovu (Dinyane Primary School), M Mpofu (Mvundlana Primary School), V Madziba (Nembe Secondary School) and P Marowa (Tsholotsho High School).

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