Baldmin Projects sends 5 students to US
STAFF WRITER
Baldmin Projects is sending five students to the United States on a full academic and sports scholarship at El Paso in Texas as the construction concern gives a platform to the disadvantaged to realise their full potential.
Among the beneficiaries is Kelvin Chiku who left on August 3, 2021 and is now in Texas. The long distance runner joins Bradley Makuvi who dominated in Texas and National College events last year before joining LSU this year.
“Baldmin team would like to congratulate Kelvin Chiku for securing a full sport scholarship at EL Paso in Texas USA. Baldmin Projects is proud to be associated with Phil Hanneck, the former Olympian who managed to assist with securing the places for the five Zimbabweans to go and study in the US,” the company said in a statement.
“Another Baldmin CSR achievement, we believe in giving back to the community and supporting young athletes from disadvantaged backgrounds realise their dreams in the land of opportunities.”
A number of US coaches are in discussions with Baldmin Projects chief executive Costar Takawira, a former 400m specialist and national athlete.
The coaches are looking for athletes from Zimbabwe and Southern Africa for placement in the elite colleges and universities.
About 10 more athletes are expected to go in the January/March semester once the coaches finalise negotiations with Takawira, the company said.
“Takawira believes that in order for our national teams to win medals at international events we need to support the grassroots programme and send more athletes out there where they will have proper training and competition which will prepare them for bigger events. He is a firm believer nurturing talent from a young age and making sure athletes are given enough support to excel both in academics and sports.”
Takawira and Hanneck’s initiative helps young athletes to realise their talents and benefit from this programme.
Currently, Takawira and Hanneck run an academy at Allan Wilson Boys High School where they are paying school fees for the young athletes picked from various rural areas and needy communities.
After high school the athletes will be sent to the US on full academic and sports scholarship for 2 to 4 years.
The partnership targets to produce world class athletes to represent Zimbabwe at major tournaments.
Baldmin Projects manager and CSR implementer Shingi Sibanda is in the process of assisting the other four students bound to leave in two weeks’ time with visa and travelling arrangements.
Baldmin Projects is a subsidiary of Baldmin Holdings which has its head office in South Africa and offices in Harare and DRC.
