FRANCIS CHIPALO writes
@SunZambian
LACK of appropriate sports equipment inhibits the participation of differently-abled persons in sports disciplines, Disability Sport Federation of Zambia (DSFZ) president George Gondwe has said.
Mr. Gondwe also said that persons living with disabilities in rural areas are the most neglected when it comes to sports activities.
Speaking to The Sun in Lusaka yesterday, Gondwe appealed to the corporate world to help provide appropriate equipment for the physically challenged so that they could also actively participate in sports activities.
Mr. Gondwe said persons with disabilities are also able to do sports activities such as wheelchair basketball, netball, athletics and Judo for the visually-impaired among others.
“If well-equipped and supported, we can also win medals for this country,” he said.
Mr. Gondwe disclosed that the federation would like to partner with District Commissioners (DCs) across the country in a bid to reach out to all physically challenged persons. “There is too much concentration on persons living with disabilities in urban areas whilst sidelining those in the rural areas. This should come to an end because they also want to participate in all activities,” he said.
“Reaching out to disabled persons in rural areas is top on our agenda. We want to do that so that no one is left behind especially this year and going forward,” he stated.
Mr. Gondwe observed that, “Another challenge we face is lack of transport to take our colleagues to places where they can do sport rather than just sit at home,”Gondwe said.
