Zimbabwe’s Olympians given a warm send off by grateful Diaspora

ZimEye

By Audrey Charowa

12 August 2012   

The Zimbabwe Olympic team received a formal send off at Zimbabwe House in Westminster, London.

The event, held last week Friday, was organised by the Zimbabwe Diaspora Olympic Support Network (ZDOSN) in conjunction with Zimbabwe Olympic Committee (ZOC) and the Zimbabwe Embassy.

Ambassador Gabriel Machinga thanked ZDOSN and the diaspora community for the phenomenal support for Zimbabwe’s Olympic team. He encouraged members of the diaspora to share ideas and use network contacts to spot and support sporting talent. He noted that there were challenges in creating this atmosphere of sporting excellence. Corporations could sponsor sporting academies. Deputy Ambassador Cecil Chinhendere expressed pride in Zimbabwe’s athletes for qualifying for the Olympics.

The Minister for Sport and Culture, David Coltart indicated that he was humbled by the support on twitter Zimbabweans have given to our Athletes. He said “Now is the time to look to the future. Zimbabwe is capable of so much more. Whatever time I have left as minister I will continue to support our Athletes, because Ministers come and go.” Minister Coltart implored Zimbabweans to unite. He acknowledged that in the last 15years Zimbabwe had been divided due to certain policies. “We need to build in our diversity. If we do this we’ll produce strong sportsmen & women.” He closed by mentioning that Kirsty Coventry was standing for election in the International Olympic Committee. This was received with thunderous applause.

ZDOSN spokes-person Glorianne Frances, commended the ZOC and ZDOSN and the throng of volunteers who worked for no pay to fundraise. Tendai Nyakudya of ZDOSN thanked members of the media, the athletes and the Ambassador for their support. ZDOSN presented a cheque for £3000 that had been raised from Boxer Derek Chisora, Dr Sylvester Nyatsuro, Knox Chitiyo, Moneygram, Econet Wireless and Zimbabwean supporters. The athletes will each be given £200 and the rest would go to the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee.

Anna Muguni, CEO of ZOC thanked Embassy Staff, Minister & Mrs Coltart, ZDOSN, Zimbabwe’s Olympic Athletes, Management and Trainers. Mrs Busi Chindove the Chef de Mission expressed great admiration for the Olympians. She thanked everyone who recognised and supported the athletes.

Among others, attendees were Ambassador Gabriel Machinga, Education Sport & Culture Minister David Coltart, Mrs Coltart, Deputy Ambassador Cecil Chinhendere, Zimbabwe Olympians, Chef de Mission Busi Chindove who was in charge of Zim Olympians, CEO of ZOC Anna Muguni, Glorianne Francis, Stanford Biti, Tawanda Chiwira, Tendai Nkakudya, Marshall Gore – Director of International Affairs at AAOE, Maxwell Gomera Deputy Director of UNEP, Felicia Munjaidi of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority & Zimbabwe Diaspora Olympic Support Network.

Glorianne Frances closed by pledging support for Zimbabwe’s Paralympians. Ambassador Machinga invited all attendees to Club Sanganai the social club open to all Zimbabweans.