Mutare Celebrates Paralympics Success and Rising Hope

By Elizabeth Kucherera

The city of Mutare has been praised for taking an important step forward by hosting the recent Paralympics event. Many participants and community members said the games brought new hope, pride, and unity to people living with disabilities.

Sports and Recreation Director Mr. Sebastian Garikai said sport teaches people powerful life lessons.
“Sport has always been one of humanity’s greatest teachers,” he said. “It teaches teamwork, discipline, resilience, and respect.”
He added that sports also promote equality. “On the field, no one is defined by how they look or where they come from. What matters is passion, commitment, and heart.”

Mr. Garikai said the Paralympics and Special Olympics movement remind everyone that there is no limit to sporting greatness, no matter one’s ability.

A teacher from Zamba Primary School’s mental challenge resource unit agreed with him. She thanked the city of Mutare for supporting the Paralympics and said she hopes it will become a yearly event.
“When opportunity is given, barriers fall. When support is provided, champions rise,” she said. “These global movements show that disability is not inability.”

Another teacher, Mrs. Juliet Chauke, also supported Mr. Garikai’s views.

One of the athletes, Peturo, who is deaf and mute, expressed her happiness through sign language. She thanked the organizers for including people with disabilities.
“I’m happy about this program. I hope it will be done every year because our group has been marginalized,” she said. She also asked for sponsors to help with clothes, balls, and other sporting equipment.

Netball player Tanyaradzwa Mungoti, who is also deaf and mute, shared how the games helped her rediscover her love for sport.
“I was in my rural area when I received a call to join the games,” she said with a smile. “At first I hesitated, but I’m glad I came. We trained hard and won first place out of three teams. We even received prize money.”

Mugoviwa, the coach for Nzeve Deaf, thanked the city of Mutare for supporting the Paralympics for the first time.
“May our city leaders continue this program,” he said. “It has lifted the spirits of people with disabilities and given them hope to aim higher.”

The results was as follows

IC Tag rugby , Chirowakamwe primary took first position followed by Sakubva primary and Zamba primary school.

Hearing impairment soccer Harare took first position followed by Red Buffalo and Cobra

Hearing impairment Mutare took first position followed by Rusape and Bulawayo

Five “A”side primary schools soccer Zamba scooped the first position followed by Dangamvura primary school and Mutanda primary

The Mutare Paralympics event has shown that when communities open doors, talent shines — and everyone wins.