This weekend’s edition of African Voices, CNN International’s 30-minute magazine programme sponsored by Globacom, will feature the inspiring story of outstanding sports personalities.

According to a statement by the data grand masters, Nigeria’s Rafy Abrahamyan, a scuba diver, and South African horse rider, Shepherd Zira, will be profiled in the programme.

CNN described the duo as some of “Africa’s sport seekers who are unafraid to take on challenges many of us would never dream of tackling. These individuals dare to push the limits and pursue their passions – regardless of the payoff.”

In a vignette it released on the edition, CNN said it is celebrating Shepard Zira because he is “one man who is overcoming hurdles in the equestrian world and winning awards along the way”, while  the Nigerian Abrahamyan “has a love for adventure and a desire to discover the uncharted waters of Lagos.”

Shepherd Zira is the world’s first black professional Lipizzaner rider.   The South African Lipizzaners to which he belongs became the only performing Lipizzaners outside Vienna and are affiliated to the Spanish Riding School. His passion for horse riding started when he was 11 and he quickly learned the art from his father. At only 22 years of age, he is already a star in the sport. 

Rafy Abrahamyan will engage viewers on the sport of diving, what ignited his passion to take up a sport that is not quite popular in Nigeria and the challenges he has faced exploring the waters of Lagos.

Globacom said  African Voices will go on air at 10.30 a.m. on Friday with repeat broadcasts at 4.30 p.m. on Saturday and at 12.30 a.m. and 7.30 p.m. on Sunday. Further repeats are broadcast at 11.30 p.m. on Mondays and at 5.30 a.m. on Tuesdays.