Zimbabwe's 2000 and 2004 Paralympic Games 100 metres gold medal winner Elliot Mujaji is crying over the takeover of sporting facilities by churches concluding that it has killed sport development in the country
The Paralympian says he is saddened that space allocated for sport and recreation activities by local authorities has been taken over by churches with some having also been turned into maize fields.
"If there is anything that saddens me most is to see sporting space taken over by churches and maize fields. We have been left with nothing for sports development," cried Mujaii
"Surely, in most high density suburbs in the country, one or two churches occupy where there were once vibrant sporting activities.
Mujaji said the few facilities that still exist were not being well maintained and are not good enough for the youths to nurture their talent to the fullest.
"Even the few that have been left are not being maintained. The authorities do not even care anymore," added Mujaji.
The City of Harare at one time announced that it would destroy all structures constructed on land allocated for sport and recreational activities but six months down the line, nothing has been done.
City of Harare spokesperson Stanley Gama did not respond to questions sent to him to enlighten the public on the current status quo with regards to the matter.
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Mujaji made the world sit up and take notice after winning the 100 metre sprint at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney and went on to defend his title in Athens four years later.
His medal in Athens came just a few days after swimmer Kirsty Coventry had won three medals at the Athens Olympic Games, a gold, a silver and a bronze.
Coventry went on to win for medals at the 2008 Games in Beijing, a gold, two silvers, and a bronze and in the process became the greatest Olympian to come out of Africa,
Sadly, though, Mujaji is not happy with the manner sports persons who have brought honour to Zimbabwe have been treated.
"You are just recognized on the day you win and the next day. Then afterwards, you are just nothing. This is different from what happens in other countries where the respect and recognition accorded to them is forever," complained Mujaji.
Happily, though, Mujaji's efforts did not go unnoticed after then Zimbabwe President the late Robert Mugabe thanked him with US$20 000 upon his return from Athens.
Mujaji has turned his attention to junior development where he runs his Elite Athletics Academy in Zvishavane which has over 30 athletes. " I see them in training, they know what they want to achieve. They are prepared to spend the whole day on the track but I tell them that school is also important and also needs their time," he said.
He says he has received invitations to extend his athletics knowledge to athletes in Gokwe, Sanyati, and Zhombe but sadly finances to fulfill the programmes have been difficult to come by.
The Paralympian who also ran 100 and 200 metres before the electrical accident that claimed his arm was coach of the 2024 Zimbabwe Paralympic Games team of Tinotenda Bango and Kudakwashe Chigwrdere that was in Paris, France, for the global games.
