NINE local wheelchair athletes are poised to compete in the 11th annual Outeniqua Wheelchair Challenge (OCC) in George, South Africa, early next month.
BY HENRY MHARA
The OCC, which is South Africa’s only major wheelchair race, will take part on February 16.
The nine, who will be part of more than 1 000 athletes expected at the event, are Dorcas Hwatira, Wilson Nyakoko, Alexander Mkandla, Margaret Bangajena, Caston Mutwira, Magdalene Madzivire, Moleen Majoni, Elford Moyo and Edmund Mukutya. All these athletes took part in the race last year. The Zimbabweans performed well at the race, racking in four gold, one silver and two bronze medals at last year’s edition.
Organisers are taking note. “As we believe in the development of the sport in South Africa and Africa, we take great pleasure in inviting athletes from other African countries to take part in this competition.
The OCC is still the only exclusive wheelchair challenge for sportsmen and women in South Africa and Africa and it will be a great honour for the people of South Africa to have disabled athletes from Zimbabwe in the race,” said Ansie Swart, the event co-ordinator yesterday.
