Athlete Hilmy Shawwal from Tanzania will compete in the Wheelchair Racing T54 category tomorrow, proudly representing his nation at the ongoing Paralympic Games in Paris in 2024. Shawwal is set to give his best effort as the sole competitor from Tanzania in the event, which spans 549 sports activities and concludes on September 8.
According to Vincent Kaduma, the general secretary of the Tanzania Paralympic Committee (TPC), Shawwal has undergone extensive training, and TPC is confident in his readiness. They expect him to perform admirably as the nation’s representative. “As TPC, we are pleased with the level of preparation he has had, and we believe he will make the country proud. He has trained hard for the games,” Kaduma added.
TPC is making significant efforts to introduce wheelchair racing in Tanzania to increase the number of athletes participating in future Paralympic events. Although the racing wheelchairs are expensive, discussions are underway with potential donors to secure the necessary equipment and prepare athletes for upcoming Paralympic Games.
“Even though these wheelchairs are quite costly, we are exploring ways to acquire them and prepare our athletes for future Paralympic Games with the help of potential benefactors. Infrastructure isn’t a concern since wheelchair racing can be done on regular running tracks, such as those at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium,” he said.
Tanzanians residing in France, along with representatives from the Tanzanian embassy, have rallied behind Shawwal and will be there to support him on race day.
As the only Tanzanian athlete competing in the 2024 Paralympic Games, Shawwal requires the full support of the Tanzanian people to succeed. He is representing not just himself but the entire nation. Kaduma stresses the importance of giving him the highest level of support.
While Tanzania does not yet have a wheelchair racing program, Shawwal, who resides in England and frequently competes in the sport, brings valuable experience to the competition.
