Beatific Gumbwanda
CHIREDZI-Town Council vice chairperson and ward 3 councillor Ropafadzo Makumire who recently launched the mental health awareness programme at Chitsanga Hall in a move to fight drug abuse in Chiredzi recently held a ‘Taropafadzwa Anti-Drug abuse awareness campaign’ sports tournament for the youth.
The tournament played at Hippo Valley’s Chishamiso Stadium saw scores of youth from various sections participating while they learnt on the effects of taking dangerous substances on health.
A total of 19 teams clashed at Chishamiso stadium in group stages which saw eight teams qualifying into the quarter finals which were played last week while sections 6 and 7 qualified for the finals.
Addressing the youth at Chishamiso stadium, Makumire said the initiative was a follow up programme to the official launch that was held in Chitsanga Hall which he thought was possible to take further initiatives of conveying the message through sponsorship of a soccer tournament, which brought many youths together.
“Drug abuse is not a disease but a decision, like the decision to step in front of a moving vehicle. It is an error of judgment. The idea of having these programmes is to raise awareness about the effects of drug abuse on the present and future of youth,” said Makumire.
Chiredzi District Health Promotion Officer, David Maziva who also attended the tournament to educate youth on effects of drug abuse welcomed the initiative and said more of the same kind to help accommodate young people in order for them to desist from taking dangerous substances.
“This is a very good initiative to help keep the youths busy while educating them on the need to drop drug abuse. Drug abuse is slowly capturing youth and many are taking these dangerous substances for fun and also peer pressure. We need more of these tournaments so that the youth will find something to do,” said Maziva.
Makumire said the initiative is poised to spread across the district.
Sections 6, 7, 17 and Likhozi proceeded to the semifinals while sections 6 and 7 clashed in the finals.
Section 6 were crowned eventual winners after defeating Section 7 6-1 to walk away with US$50 prize money, a floating trophy and soccer jerseys while losing finalists got jerseys and US$ 30.
All the other participating teams were given soccer balls.
