Zimpapers Logo

Leonard Ncube, [email protected] 

AMPUTEE football is gaining popularity in Zimbabwe, with clubs being established in cities such as Harare, Bulawayo and Victoria Falls. Efforts are also being made to form new clubs in other regions.

The sport aims to promote disability inclusion in national programming and create opportunities for people with disabilities. Community-based teams play a crucial role in building strong support networks, nurturing talent among physically challenged youth and promoting disability awareness. 

Amputee football empowers vulnerable populations by providing information, promoting sports as an income-generating activity and stressing the value inherent in their lives. The ultimate objective is to grant persons with disabilities real independence, freedom and tranquillity rather than merely enumerating it in statutes and keeping it out of reach for those in need. 

The initiative aligns with President Mnangagwa’s National Disability Policy, which aims to ensure that persons with disabilities have equal access to opportunities with all other citizens and to foster inclusivity in national development.

Zimbabwe witnessed the birth of it’s first-ever amputee football club — Ruwa George Al-Quds Amputee FC (also known as Al-Quds FC or Al-Koods) — in 2019. 

Robson Musarafu, national president of the Zimbabwe Amputee Football Federation (ZAFF) and national team manager, teamed up with Nancy Ziyengwa to introduce the sport in Ruwa.

Despite initial challenges, amputee football is gradually finding its place within communities. However, some citizens remain unfamiliar with the sport, leading to a slower adoption process. 

In Victoria Falls, Fredrick Mafira, an inspired resident, has taken on the role of coordinator. His personal connection to the cause, through his son Pride’s condition, fuels his commitment. Mafira also serves as the national coordinator of ZAFF.

Amputee Football has gained traction in various parts of the country, including Mutare, Zvishavane, Buhera and Ruwa. The Victoria Falls Amputees Club boasts a team of seven players, eagerly awaiting an official launch and the formation of a committee. Bulawayo boasts two teams, Hebrews Amputees FC and Black Jack Amputees FC.

As Zimbabwe joins the global commemoration of Limb Loss and Limb Difference Month this month, concerns have been raised about the slow uptake of the sport. Both mainstream society and amputees themselves need to embrace this empowering activity fully.

Zimbabwe now holds membership in both the Confederation of African Amputee Football Federation (CAAF) and the World Amputee Football Federation (WAFF). The vision is to foster inclusivity, create opportunities for people living with disabilities and break down barriers associated with disability.

Amputee football represents a departure from the traditional image of disabled individuals relying solely on street begging. Instead, it empowers vulnerable populations by providing information, promoting sports as an income-generating activity and stressing the value inherent in their lives.

Despite challenges, Victoria Falls remains committed to its amputee football project. While the community’s buy-in has been delayed, training is set to kick off on Monday, reinforcing the belief that obstacles won’t hinder progress.

“We have seven players, four males and three females and we have others who we are yet to visit who should be part of the team. We are making progress and we recently went to Zambia with three players to help them introduce the sport there. Locally the issue of a ground was a challenge until we secured the Chinotimba Primary School ground. 

“So we will start training even without the executive because it is taking time to set up the executive. People are employing a wait and see attitude because they want to understand the sport and are not coming to attend the meetings. So our strategy is that those that will attend training sessions on Monday, Tuesday and Friday will make it into the executive,” said Mafira.

A Victoria Falls resident, Warren Moyo, donated two sets of kits for the Victoria Falls Amputees Football Club and the club also received a boost in the form of 10 pairs of crutches, 10 pairs of rubber tips, three balls from Our Pride Amputees Helping Amputees, an organisation and six balls from the community.

“Our target was to get 11 players by now, and now that we have the venue, crutches, soccer balls and kit, we know some will come as we know those who are still deciding to join. We now have extra crutches to help others.

“Our challenge is funding. We need at least 100 crutches nationally to be able to support clubs and in Victoria Falls we are still hunting for coaches. In Binga the challenge is that potential players live far away from each other and it is difficult to gather them in one place,” he said.

People of various backgrounds, socio-economic classes, genders, colours, ages and other demographics are impacted by limb loss and limb difference.