Five days to go to Olympic Day - Zimbabwe NOA Promotes Sport for All

18 | 6 | 2016

The Zimbabwean National Olympians Association (ZOA) has plans to bring sport to one of Zimbabwe’s most underprivileged neighbourhoods this Olympic Day. Working together with the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee (ZOC), the ZOA will stage a day of sport and social action in Epworth Town, an area in social decline on the outskirts of the capital, Harare.

Olympians, including members of the recently qualified Zimbabwe women’s Football team, who will represent their country in Rio in August this year, will gather at the site of the new Olympafrica multi-purpose stadium which is currently under construction. The stadium is part of a wider project by the ZOC to bring accessible sports facilities to communities around Zimbabwe in order to promote Olympism, Olympic Values and education and support up and coming elite athletes.

As part of a series of activities, Olympians will lead the traditional Olympic Day Run and organise workshops in athletics, netball, tennis, basketball, judo, karate, mini soccer, table tennis, volleyball, gymnastics and aerobics. The ZOA and ZOC will also promote a “clean-up campaign” in the local area to encourage all people, including top officials, to pick up litter and consider the impact of litter on the environment

ZOC Anti-Doping Education Officer Stephen Mudawarima will also be on hand to educate those present on the dangerous effects of taking performance enhancing drugs as the ZOC and ZOA continue to spread the anti-doping message across the country.

ZOA President, Abel Chimukoko, who competed in the marathon at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, said:

“By staging our Olympic Day celebrations in one of the poorer neighbourhoods of Zimbabwe, an area that is overcrowded and under-resourced, we are hoping to send a message that sport is for all regardless of age, background or ability. Sport can enhance social mobility and cohesion amongst communities and is a vital thread that links us all together.

“We are proud that so many Olympians will be joining us for our Olympic Day event and are pleased to once again be working closely with our National Olympic Committee to share the Olympic Values, bring sport to those less fortunate and encourage everyone to get active.”

Olympic Day is an annual celebration of Olympism, which will see National Olympic Committees and Olympians come together to embrace the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect through sport and education.

The WOA would like to share your National Olympians Association’s inspirational Olympic Day stories, events and pictures on our digital and social platforms so please let us know about any planned Olympic Day activities by contacting: sarah.vanballekom@thewoa.org.