eBusiness Weekly
Chipo Sabeta
Not many footballers show a social conscience, but some do…
Former Warriors captain Willard Katsande is leading an initiative to raise funds for securing an artificial arm for CAPS United defender Hardlife Zvirekwi.
So far R20 000 has been raised.
Zvirekwi was involved in a horrific accident last month and has been forced out of professional football following the accident that led to the amputation of his left arm.
All hope is not lost, however, following assurances by sports medical doctors that Zvirekwi’s condition does not necessarily mark the end of his playing career.
Katsande, who currently plys his trade for South African football giant Kaizer Chiefs, has so far raised R20 000 from friends, workmates and fellow professionals in South Africa to help meet the cost of buying the artificial arm.
He told Business Weekly that as a player he understood Zvirekwi’s situation.
“Getting injured while playing sport can leave you facing considerable financial hardship. With serious injuries leading to time off work, or sometimes being unable to continue with work at all, I can relate to what Hardie is going through,” said Katsande.
“I know people who have been impacted by a sports injury and in this case, I opted to raise money for him. From general inquiries we made, the artificial hand requires R35 000. The money is for treatment, to cover living expenses, or to help their family with their bills and I have been appealing for friends and fellow sports personalities. It’s not an easy task considering the amount required for the artificial hand but we had to do something and play my part,” he added.
“Players who have contributed to the R20 000 include Kuda Mahachi, Knowledge Musona, Munetsi, Evans Rusike, Teenage Hadebe, Butholezwe Ncube, Edmore Chirambadare, Danny Phiri, Knox Mutizwa, Marvellous Nakamba, Talent Chawapihwa. My coach Steve Komphela gave me some money. Some made promises and I hope their pledges will be fulfilled.”
Zvirekwi has since resumed soft training after his hand was amputated. Makepekepe de-registered him to give him ample time to recuperate for the first half of the season.
Said Katsande said; “Those who know Zvirekwi can tell that he was always in a league of his own when it came to physical strength. That strength is something friends and family of the 30-year-old say he will need. I hope I will be able to bring him here by month end since the process requires two to three weeks to complete”
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.
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.
Zvirekwi says he won’t bow down to physical disability.
“I can’t tell when I will play or when I will be allowed to play but I am going to surprise many people. I’m training hard and will defy odds. 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.
The Green Machine, are now under the captainship of Stephen Makatukaa and have 12 points out of a possible 21. So far they have drawn three games and won three in the Castle Lager Premiership campaign.
They are sitting on 6th position on the log standings, seven behind log leaders Ngezi Platinum.
Makepekepe face Nichrut at Ascot Stadium this weekend.
