Sources say that other members feel Coventry is getting, “undue favours from
Mugabe” yet she’s white.
Sprinter, Brian Dzingai and long jumper, Tendai Makusha received US$10 000 each with the rest of Team Zimbabwe pocketing US$2 000.
“The US$2 000 that other members got is an insult. They should have been given at least half of Coventry’s amount. Mugabe is playing politics with the girl. While he is telling the whole world that he hates the white man, he gives Coventry such an amount, ignoring his black brothers,” a source said.
It is not clear where the government sourced the money from.
Mugabe described Coventry as the daughter of Zimbabwe.
“Kirsty is our golden girl and we should look after her. We would like to urge other members of the team to work harder and with greater practice, more practice, we will get more medals in the future Games,” he said.
After Athens 2004 Mugabe gave Coventry $50,000 and a diplomatic passport. She won three medals comprising of a gold, silver and bronze. There is talk of conferring Coventry with an honorary degree and establishing a Kirsty Coventry Swimming Academy in Harare.
Post published in: Zimbabwe Sports News