Don’t feel pity over my disability: Zvirekwi . . . We respect him for his bravery, says coach Chitembwe

20 Jul, 2018 - 00:07 0 Views
Don’t feel pity over my disability: Zvirekwi . . . We respect him for his bravery, says coach Chitembwe Hardlife Zvirekwi

eBusiness Weekly

Chipo Sabeta
Imagine a defender tackling a disabled opponent . . . assuming that he is going for the kill, from which side will you defend or tackle him?

In case of a crude tackle do you have to think first, think how the person will balance and how do you feel if he falls on the weaker side?

With Hardlife recently returning to competitive football, debate has emerged if it’s safe or even ideal for the defender to play competitive football.

The former Warriors captain made an emotional return to Premier Soccer League football this month after he was involved in a horrific car accident in March and was forced out of professional football for the first half of the season.

All hope was not lost, however, following assurances by sports medical experts that Zvirekwi’s condition did not necessarily mark the end of his playing career.

The former Gunners player made an 87th minute substitute appearance in CAPS United’s nil-all draw against Harare City at Rufaro Stadium a fortnight ago.

Last week, he was a tactical substitute in the 34th minute replacing Joel Ngodzo in their goalless draw giants Bulawayo Chiefs at the National Sports Stadium.

The Makepekepe captain refused to bow down to physical disability.

“Most people want to look at me with pity in their eyes and sympathy stitched on their faces. Some want to tell me how sorry they are. I understand this is a response born of compassion and of a desire to comfort. I am not sorry about my situation. My hope is to be competitive for my club. I am back and I will play to the best of my ability.

“It doesn’t mean it the end of the world. One has to beat and win many challenges that comes with disability. From the onset, I told myself that I will not shed a tear over my situation. I told God that I didn’t want to play victim or feel sorry for myself. I want to compete and with the help of my teammates and coach, I will make it,” Zvirekwi said.

He added: “It’s true my life changed completely. At first, I admit to being full of self-pity. I felt wronged by life but life goes on. I am a normal player, just like everyone else.”

Zvirekwi is one of the high profile Zimbabwean players to be amputated after former Hwange defender Brian Njobvu had his leg amputated after he was accidentally run over by a team bus in Victoria Falls in 2001.

Njobvu is now a qualified coach.

Zvirekwi certainly has the pedigree to achieve that goal.

He continued: “Yes, people might feel sorry and rule me out but I want to live with this and prove that there is life even with disability,” he said.

“I’ve gone through many stages physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I’ve learned a lot about myself, about how strong I am, what I’m able to handle. I’ve learned new coping skills. Please don’t feel sorry for me.”

CAPS United coach Lloyd Chitembwe said it was Zvirekwi’s courageous attitude after the calamity that moved him before he assured the player more game time.

“It was good to see him back in action. He only missed one month after the injury. Since then, he has missed training. Some players have missed but it’s a different story with him. He has a big heart that goes an extra mile. Over the span of his career, he was always in a league of his own when it comes to physical strength,” Chitembwe said.

“He has earned our respect and taught his colleagues a lesson. When we thought it was the end of the world, he has challenged us. Surely, we will see more of him during the second half of the season,” he said.

In Germany, the late former VFB Stuttgart player Robert Schlienz had his left forearm amputated following a car accident on August 14, 1948, but made a comeback four months later.

Despite the amputation, Schlienz captained VFB Stuttgart and led them to the German Championship twice in 1950 and 1952, and they were runners-up in 1953 and lifted the German Cup twice in 1954 and 1958.

Meanwhile, the Green Machine are sitting on sixth position with 31 points from 19 games. Tomorrow they face log leaders FC Platinum at Mandava Stadium.

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