The 22-year-old disabled athlete, who impressed donors and sponsors during the just ended Kilimanjaro Marathon where he competed for disabled category, is lined up for the Milan trip.

 

Juma is below knee one leg amputee and runs with a J-shaped carbon fibre prosthetics developed and manufactured by an Italian company, Roadrunner Foot.

 

Marco Rampi, a volunteer for Medicine Africa, said his organisation is supporting and sponsoring Juma for the event.

 

This will be the second time for the Babati-based athlete to compete at the international stage after last year’s maiden appearance at the Great Ethiopia Run which took place on November 25.

 

Rampi said his organisation is preparing the athlete for 2016 Brazil Paralympics. The company has also geared up to meet Juma’s educational expenses.

 

“Juma is a promising athlete. We hope if he can be given enough support and preparations, he can compete at the Brazil 2016 Paralympics.

 

 We will do everything possible to see that he becomes one of the best paralympian in the country,” he said.

 

Rampi said his firm, with the help of its partners, will soon start a project to help other disabled athletes in the country.

 

“Currently we have only Juma  on board but plans are underway to help other disabled athletes here. We will be targeting those with no legs as one of our sponsors own a company which manufactures prosthetics and he is ready to help many disabled athletes,” he said.      

Juma could not hide his joy and said he is working very hard to impress his sponsors.

 

“I’m happy to secure sponsors. In the past I was just dreaming of running but now it’s a reality that I can run and compete with other athletes. I promise to train very hard so that I can flap my country flag at international events and please sponsors,” he said.