Dusi hero Zondi assisted with shoulder op by Good Samaritans

Friday, 04 February 2011 15:43

User Rating: / 0
PoorBest 

Good Samaritan surgeons aid Dusi star Loveday Zondi

Durban - Less than 24 hours after ace canoeist Loveday Zondi was left contemplating the end of his canoeing career following a dislocation of his shoulder while training for The Unlimited Dusi canoe marathon, a group of concerned surgeons have come to his rescue by providing free medical treatment that could save his paddling career.

Zondi has been plagued by trouble with his shoulders, and on Wednesday afternoon he suffered his fourth dislocation and was rushed to hospital in Pietermaritzburg, where he was told by doctors that he would never paddle again unless he has major surgery to both shoulders.

The youngster who hit the headlines in 2005 when he became the first black paddler to race onto the Dusi podium was aiming for a top five finish in this year's race  but was suddenly confronting the end of his paddling career because he couldn't afford the surgery.

When word reached Florida Lake Canoe Club in Gauteng, where Zondi is now based as an athlete and canoeing coach, two surgeons who are part-time paddlers were attending the club's weekly time trial and learnt of Zondi's plight.

Dr. Paulo Ferrao, based at Linksfield, and his doubles partner Dr. Richard Greef, who practices at Baragwanath hospital, took up Loveday's case, and within hours they had arranged for the athlete to been assessed to determine the optimal treatment for his injured shoulders.

"It's early days still because we haven't had a chance to determine the extent of Loveday's injury," said Greef. "We have arranged to examine him next week and we will take it from there. Hopefully we can get him back into his canoe."

"I don't know what to say," said a clearly overwhelmed Zondi from his homestead near Nagle dam where he is recovering. "Paddlers are just amazing. They always get together to make a plan to help each other out. But I really didn't think there was any chance of this happening to me. I am so happy and just want to say thank you to everyone who has become involved."

Zondi is a regular at Florida Lake where he races the time trials and spends long hours coaching junior and development paddlers for free.

"Miracles do happen!" said Florida Lake Canoe Club stalwart Jennie Dallas. "These are the best doctors and the very latest technology, and with Loveday being young, there is every reason to believe that he will be able to get back and challenge for another Dusi gold medal next year."

The Unlimited Dusi starts on Pietermaritzburg on 17 February and ends in Durban on 19 February.

More information can be found at www.dusi.co.za

< Prev		Next >