DISABLED sportsperson Wilson Nyakoko has expressed concern on the lack of government support for people with disabilities, adding that they are not getting the same recognition as their able-bodied counterparts.
BY HENRY MHARA
Responding to the news that President Robert Mugabe hosted welterweight champion Charles Manyuchi and gave him $50 000 at a banquet at State House as a reward for defending his title in Italy, wheelchair racing athlete Nyakoko said the disabled should be given similar recognition.
In a Facebook post, Nyakoko said disabled athletes had participated and won international competitions in Europe and the United States, but the government continued to turn a blind eye.
Instead, he said, they jumped at every opportunity to reward able-bodied athletes who would have excelled.
“I normally don’t complain, but this time I have to speak what bothers me. I am a citizen of Zimbabwe and a well-known sportsman,” he started off.
Keep Reading
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
“My teammates and I always go to South Africa and participate in Outeniqua Wheelchair Challenge in George. We spend three days and three nights on the road to reach the destination. It is a painful journey, especially when you are using the road, but I have been doing this for the past 10 years and managing to win. All people and media know about us and they have written stories about us, but we are still suffering and discriminated (against).”
Nyakoko added: “They still don’t recognise and respect us because we are disabled. Some of my teammates use old racing wheelchairs and they put more effort and win. We have been appealing for money to buy new racing wheelchairs without any success. I am surprised that my follow able-bodied sportsman was given $50 000 by our President. Are we not the same?”
Besides Manyuchi, other athletes who have been rewarded by Mugabe include Olympic gold medallist Kirsty Coventry ($100 000), Comrades Marathon champion Stephen Muzhingi, Mighty Warriors and Young Sables.