Zimbabwe’s national rafting team of four has overcome a grueling two-day journey to compete in the 2026 Rafting World Cup Series at Rapids Camp, Sagana, Murang’a County.
“We were supposed to be nine of us coming to compete here. However, we faced financial challenges because we initially wanted to drive. It was going to take us five days to drive from Zimbabwe to Kenya. We came by road from Victoria Falls to Livingstone in Zambia, then took an overnight bus from Livingstone to Lusaka. Once we got to Lusaka, a good friend of ours from the USA said, ‘You guys are not going to make it on time,’ and she bought us one-way tickets from Lusaka all the way to Kenya,” said Philani Moyo, Zimbabwe team leader.
Due to financial constraints ahead of the championships, the team was reduced to just four athletes, who will shoulder the responsibility of representing Zimbabwe.
“The other guys could not make it because we are self-sponsored. We had to look for funds from our families, and a few friends from the USA donated small amounts, like $20 each. Eventually, we managed to make it,” Moyo said.
The absence of reserve athletes remains one of the team’s biggest challenges.
“We are only four, which is a bit sad because we don’t even have a substitute. If someone gets sick, we still have to compete. I can see some other teams here with 20 or even more than 50 members, while we are only four. We would like to encourage Zimbabweans to stand up and support this sport,” he added.
Looking ahead, Moyo expressed hope that the team will secure sponsorship to ease the financial burden of competing internationally.
“For the next competition, we are looking for sponsors like other teams. This will help us cover registration fees, membership costs, and other expenses that we currently pay from our own pockets. We need to go back and encourage more Zimbabweans to support us in the future.”
Despite the challenges, the Zimbabwean team remains confident as it prepares to face some of the world’s best rafting nations.
“We are ready and well prepared. There are some very good teams here. We respect Kenya because this is their home ground and they know the river like the back of their hand. Japan is a strong team, and Italy are the current world champions. But as Team Zimbabwe, we are ready,” remarked Philani Moyo, Zimbabwe National Team Leader
