Story by Panashe Nagoli
SOCIAL league football players in Highfield have joined efforts to support Government’s fight against drug and substance abuse through an awareness campaign held during a tournament in Harare on Sunday.
The Super Eight Cup tournament, organised by the Highfield Area Zone and sponsored by SINET Africa, was held in Highfield as part of a community drive to raise awareness on the dangers of drug and substance abuse.
The event brought together players and residents in support of ongoing national prevention efforts.
Participants said the initiative goes a long way in the fight against the scourge.
“As a youth, this is very important to me because I missed a lot of dangerous things today because I spent my day here, and so I think if we can have more tournaments such as this, people won’t do drugs,” Football Player Blue Stones FC Mr. Takudzwa Munemo said.
“As a coach, I am very happy that these platforms, apart from keeping the boys occupied also helps the community in terms of the health of these boys and making sure that they are away from the social ills and so we want more of these tournaments,” Head Coach Blue Stones FC, Mr. Cleto Zezere said.
The MCM Estates Northern Region Soccer League Chairperson, Mr Sweeney Mushonga, said the tournament is a key enabler of the talent scouting process.
“As the MCM Estates NRSL, we wish to register our gratitude to the Highfield Area Zone for organising such a tournament because it helps keep our boys from drug and substance abuse and also goes a long way in talent identification,” he said.
“It was important for us to organise this tournament because SINET saw the ills in our community and decided to help; they bought balls and kits for all teams, which is very commendable,” Secretary General, Highfield Area Zone, Mr. Benedict Chitanda said.
The tournament featured eight teams drawn from the Highfield Area Zone pool.
