THE Government has honoured World Boxing Council welterweight silver champion, Charles Manyuchi, for his achievements by giving him a diplomatic passport. Manyuchi was handed the diplomatic passport yesterday by Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko at ceremony held at Rainbow Towers for Team Zimbabwe which will compete at the Paralympic Games.The Games will run from September 7 to 18 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and Zimbabwe will be sending a delegation of 14 people – six athletes and eight officials.
Vice President Mphoko took the opportunity to present the boxer, who attended yesterday’s function, with the diplomatic passport.
“Last time Manyuchi came in we received him. I was accompanying His Excellency (President Mugabe)…so today Mr Manyuchi the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe would like to hand to you a diplomatic passport,” Mphoko said.
Manyuchi will also receive $5 000 from the Government.
The WBC welterweight silver champion could not hide his joy and said he feels motivated ahead of his title defence on September 30 in Harare.
“I am very happy. It’s a great honour that the Government has realised that I am a Zimbabwean asset and I appreciate the diplomatic passport and everything that they are doing for me.
“I just want to thank the honourable Minister, Makhosini Hlongwane, who runs around and tries to make sure that they acknowledge my achievements. I feel motivated.
“I think I am ready for the next fight. I will do it for Zimbabweans,” said Manyuchi.
The Vice-President was presented with a pair of gloves by Manyuchi and a kit for Team Zimbabwe by the Minister of Sport and Recreation, Makhosini Hlongwane.
Earlier on, speaking to Team Zimbabwe going to the Paralympics, Mphoko said more can still be done to enhance the participation of people living with disabilities in sport.
“As we send off Team Zimbabwe to the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games, we need to take a collective pause and ponder how we may enhance the participation of persons with disabilities in sport.
“As Government, we are glad to note that the Zimbabwe National Paralympic Games which are held on an annual basis constitute a viable platform from which we can crane our necks into the future.
“These Games are part of the broader government strategy to reach out to persons with disabilities so that they may have ready access to sport and recreation programmes and lead healthy lifestyles,” said Mphoko.
He said the Government is hopeful the recently adopted National Sport and Recreation policy will address the challenges faced by people living with disabilities.
“Furthermore, the community sport and recreation promotion and development anticipated by the Ministry of Sport and Recreation will stoutly embrace persons with disabilities as well.
“The recently adopted National Sport and Recreation Policy will be an anchor to all activities pertaining to sport and recreation in Zimbabwe.
“Most of the challenges that are plaguing persons with disabilities in sport will soon be a thing of the past.
“It is pleasing to note that the Zimbabwe National Paralympic Committee did not opt for quantity but quality in constituting its team. Its optimum size speaks to the desire to be credible competitors at the Games,” said Mphoko.
Hlongwane said there is still a lot that needs to be done if Zimbabwe is to challenge for medals at the Games.
“Let us be honest, whilst we are happy that we will be participating in the Rio Paralympic Games, the meandering route it took to achieve this feat indicates that there is a lot of work that is ahead of us, if we are to remain competitive and viable hopefuls at international level for medals,” said Hlongwane.
The team received $55 000 from the Government to enable them to participate in the Games.
Team Zimbabwe
Para-rowing
Athletes: Previous Wiri, Margaret Bangajena, Michelle Garnett, Takudzwa Gwariro, Jessica Davis (coxswain).
Coach: Rachel Davis
Athletics
Athlete: Laina Sithole.
Coach: Maxwell Madzure.
Witness Magulula (chef de mission), Miles Trustham (team manager), Pauline Tshuma (team doctor).
Michael Bulagango ( ZNPC president), Lewis Garaba (ZNPC secretary general), Godfrey Chipare (Head of country delegation and Permanent Secretary for Sport and Recreation).-Herald
