He has been given the role off the back of a successful trip as team leader at the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Games in Malawi.

"Following an intense deliberation process by the ZNPC Board for the Chef de Mission role, Masimba Mutemaringa was confirmed and approved by the ZNPC as the Chef de Mission for Team Zimbabwe," read the statement.

"As an ex-oficio Board member of the ZNPC, Mutemaringa has distinguished himself as a versatile young sports administrator with a keen interest in the growth and development of Paralympic sport in Zimbabwe.

"His appointment follows conviction by the Board in his abilities to lead and manage the Paralympic team, human resource management skills, public relations and understanding of protocols in sport particularly within the Paralympic Movement.

"Mutemaringa has got experience in this portfolio having served as Deputy Chef de Mission to Lesotho Regional Games 2020 and recently as Chef de Mission for Malawi Regional Games 2022."

The newly-appointed administrator said he was excited to take up the role.

"I am really humbled by the show of trust by the ZNPC to lead Zimbabwe to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games," said Mutemaringa.

"It is a joy and honour for me to represent this country and to carry and raise the colours of this great nation.

"Preparing Zimbabwe for the Paralympic Games will be a great experience for me in my journey as a sports administrator and it is my desire to turn around these lessons for the development of sport and recreation in Zimbabwe."

At the Paralympics, Zimbabwe has won 17 medals, including two golds.

The last of these came at Athens 2004, when sprinter Elliot Mujaji won his second consecutive gold in the men's 100 metres T46 final.