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Grace Chingoma Sports Reporter
SPORTS and Recreation Minister Makhosini Hlongwane has paid special tribute to the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development for supporting the Mighty Warriors in their successful quest for a place at the 2016 Olympic Games. He was speaking during a luncheon he hosted for the team in Harare yesterday afternoon.

It was a heavily subscribed luncheon with Minister of Women’s Affairs, Gender and Community Development, Nyasha Chikwinya, Minister of State in Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s office, Clifford Sibanda , Deputy Minister of Mines Fred Moyo, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Hospitality, Annastancia Ndlovu, Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Paul Mavhima and Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Deputy Minister Mathias Tongofa, gracing the occasion.

Also in attendance were legislators John Holder, Terrence Mukupe and Chris Chitindi.

Hlongwane also gave the whole team $6 000, which he quickly mobilised together with some of his colleagues in Government and a Good Samaritan in football who has been an all-weather friend of the game who also funded the foreign-based Warriors’ trips for their 2017 Nations Cup qualifier against Guinea.

The players got a share of $200 each.

This is apart from what ZIFA are still mobilising for the team, as part of their allowances and winning bonuses, for the team. “NetOne, you have stood with our girls in a very special way and we want to appreciate the support you have given us,” said Hlongwane.

“I want to make special mention of the Ministry of Mines and that is why Deputy Minister Mr Moyo is here.

“From travelling logistics to feeding logistics to accommodation logistics, Ministry of Mines, I want to say to you guys you are an indispensable partner.”

The minister also acknowledged all the support the team got from various partners such as the PHD Ministries leader, prophet Walter Magaya.

“As it turns out I am not the only Minister of Sports in this country. Every minister is a Minister of Sports and that is very important, when a discipline attracts so much interest, it means you will get so much support,” said Hlongwane.

“In cabinet, and even outside cabinet, I have a lot of friends that I relate with very well. A lot of them are just a phone call away, my colleague, here I have a problem.

“I have never been turned down by anybody, it has not happened.

“Everybody I ever spoke to, to get support, I have got that support. Thank you so much colleagues, thank you so much colleagues in government for that.

“There is also Joma who sponsors (kit) and there is PHD Ministries, they have come in a big way to assist as far as the development of football is concerned.”

However, the Minister said the real journey was just about to begin and appealed to the corporate to come on board and partner the team.

“I would like also to take this opportunity to invite the corporate world. Our girls have made it thus far on a shoe-string budget. This is the time to join in,’ said Hlongwane. “They say success has many fathers. We want the corporate sector to be the fathers of our girls, of the success of our girls. We want your brand to associate with this beautiful success.

“Please come in and support our girls in a big way as they prepare to go to Rio 2016.” As Zimbabwe Olympic Committee raised concern that there was need to adequately prepare for these Games, and a lot of resources were going to be required, Hlongwane assured the custodians of the Olympics, that the whole Zimbabwean Olympic delegation would be fully supported.

“Let me respond to one thing that Admire (Masenda, ZOC president) spoke to, the issue about preparations. I am very alive to that.

“Without enough practice, there is no miracle that will happen on the pitch. I am very clear about that. Let me tell you this, that we are going to make sure that the entire Olympic team, not just the girls, will have enough practice time for Rio so that there is a difference in terms of our medal loot. “We want to see a difference.”

Chikwinya also pledged to support the Mighty Warriors. “Now that the girls have reached this far you are going to be showered with things that you have never thought you would get,” said Chikwinya.