The Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) will be hosting new Paralympic events during the Chancellor of Zimbabwe State Universities' Staff Games this year, with the theme: "Promoting innovation, industrialization, and partnership via sport to support NDS2 and Vision 2030," as organizers aim to address what they call an enduring deficiency in disability sports facilities within higher education institutions.
This follows as the National Organizing Committee (NOC) completes arrangements for the seven-day competition, taking place between July 19 and 26, 2026, at GZU's Mashava campus.
During an interview with AntsSport, Tichaona Lloyd Mwadiwa, who serves as the marketing and public relations officer for the Chancellor of the Zimbabwe State Universities' Staff Games, stated that incorporating Paralympic competitions had been significantly delayed.
He stated, 'We have noticed that our universities face a deficiency in sports amenities for these siblings among us who have disabilities.'
Mwadiwa mentioned that this year's schedule will feature goalball, which is participated in by individuals with visual impairments, along with modified athletic competitions.
"Actually, we've embarked on a path to initiate and guide the growth of Paralympic-related infrastructure in our universities," he stated.
He mentioned that the program was connected to the country's development plan.
"We hope these individuals will also experience being involved in the national development conversation and take part, interact, and connect with others throughout these sporting events," Mwadiwa stated, referring to the government's "no one left behind" approach.
In order to boost the initiative, the National Organizing Committee (NOC) organized a charity event in Harare recently.
we organized fund-raising events at the rainbow tourism group hotel on june 19th, with our partners joining to assist us," he mentioned, noting that the primary objective was to gather funds "to purchase and develop infrastructure and amenities for our paralympic athletes.
Mwadiwa requested additional business support.
He stated, 'This is an invitation to everyone in the private sector and the public sector to join forces with us, reach out to us, and together establish impactful development collaborations that will bring mutual benefits.'
In addition to the inclusivity initiative, Mwadiwa mentioned that the event will attract approximately 800 to 1,000 participants in Mashava, featuring 12 public and private universities contesting in sports such as track and field, football, volleyball, basketball, tennis, netball, discus throw, shot put, and indigenous competitions.
He mentioned that inspection visits have made the National Organizing Committee confident about GZU's preparedness.
"we have been reviewing the development of these games, and we are very pleased that great zimbabwe university is moving in the right direction," mwadiwa stated.
The Mashava campus, which can accommodate as many as 3,000 individuals, will serve as the accommodation for all attendees during the students' vacation period. Mwadiwa mentioned that a dedicated medical staff, along with emergency vehicles and first responders, will remain available throughout the event, urging competitors to have their healthcare information ready.
He mentioned that representatives were anticipated from each of the ten regions, including high-level administrators, academics, medical professionals, engineers, library personnel, and financial officers competing in the event.
Mwadiwa stated that the Games continued to focus on employee well-being.
He stated, 'A physically active body is typically more resistant to illness compared to a sedentary one.'
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