Mountain Lions to partake in wheelchair basketball tourneys

Mountain Lions spokesperson, Panganai Chitiyo, confirmed that the team qualified to be part of this year’s less privileged competitions to be held in March, May, August, October and December.

The games will be held in designated areas around Kwekwe and Gweru.

Mountain Lions is composed of male and female senior and junior teams and the club welcomes interested players with disabilities from the age of 15.

The team has won several tournaments that include the Danhiko Paralympics Games played every year.

Three of their players, Tatenda Simbi, Sovenia Pamire and Josphat Muchakatura were drafted into the national wheelchair basketball team.

Chitiyo said: “We are participating in this year’s five tournaments beginning in March, but our biggest challenge is sponsorship. We are appealing to companies, individuals or well-wishers to help us.

We might earn a living through this sport. Our team has produced three players who are now part of the national wheelchair basketball team, but they didn’t have passports.

Last year they failed to travel with the rest of the team. “We also need equipment like wheelchairs, balls and more uniforms. We also need more players, especially females,” he said.

The team uses Mutare Teachers’ College basketball court for training.

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Anyone willing to assist them can contact Chitiyo on 0776 266 305.