Zambia is no longer able to participate in Continental Parasports and games after they were banned for non payment issues. The Zambia National Wheelchair Basketball Association (ZNWBA) made this announcement on Saturday.
The ban has been implemented after the nation was unable to pay a US $23,200 outstanding participation fee owed to the All Africa Games Parasport. The participation fees were owed for the year 2023.
The organization has shared that the inability to settle the dues towards the international organization has left the Parasports association in a tough spot.
ZNWBA President David Mukwasa was speaking to the media on the sidelines of the National Wheelchair Basketball Team’s training session. During this interview, he shared the situation and financial crisis that the association is facing.
The training programme which provided the backdrop for the interview was done in preparation for the Zimbabwe Independence wheelchair tournament. The Zambia National Wheelchair Basketball Association (ZNWBA) have been invited to play.
The Association President Mukwasa also revealed that the team requires K76,000 to enable them participate in the Zimbabwe Independence wheelchair tournament. The travel and equipment expenses are currently a major issue that is hindering the progress of the organization.
They are not able to participate in any international or intercontinental sporting event. The team members are also disheartened by the issues that they are facing.
He has also bemoaned the obsolete state of wheelchairs used by the team, adding that this hinders their qualification to international tournaments.
“The club has no sponsorship. Due to non-support, the Wheelchairs they use are obsolete. They also lack transportation to come for training sessions.” He lamented.
The Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities has been taking note of the situation. They said that they will make sure the concerns will be addressed by government of Zambia and the organization will get the chance to participate again.
ZAPD Director General Frankson Musukwa has promised that he will try to take the issues before the authorities in Zambia. They want to make sure that the people with disabilities within Zambia are adequately represented across the globe.