Diaspora-Backed Football Academy Launches to Empower Deaf Youth in Bulawayo

A football academy dedicated to deaf athletes was launched on Thursday in Bulawayo, marking a major step toward inclusive sport in Zimbabwe.

Spearheaded by the Sign Language Interpreters Trust (SLIT), the initiative aims to break barriers and give deaf youth access to structured football training, mentorship, and visibility.

The launch event, held at Bulawayo Chiefs Village, was supported by Zimbabweans in the Diaspora who donated kits to kickstart the program.

The donation was facilitated by a group of benefactors represented by Canada-based Thubelihle Ngwenya, who emphasized the importance of supporting marginalized communities through sport.

“This is a first of many to come as we support the deaf in our society. Together with others in the Diaspora, and with good friend Collin Nyabadza, we have managed to source these kits in support of this academy.

“Going forward, we are looking forward to a good partnership. This is all for the cause of uplifting the deaf and bringing them to the mainstream,” Ngwenya said.

SLIT programmes director Mbiko Nxumalo said the academy is part of a broader vision to integrate deaf athletes into mainstream sporting activities.

“Sport is a powerful tool for social inclusion. For our deaf athletes, opportunities like these challenge stereotypes and prove that the deaf community deserves equal platforms in society,” Nxumalo said.

According to the Chronicle, the academy will begin operations in due course, with SLIT planning further initiatives to expand access and visibility for deaf athletes across Zimbabwe.

The organisation says it hopes the academy will serve as a model for inclusive sports development nationwide.