Online Reporter
Mkhululi Ncube
[email protected]
THE inaugural Binga South Constituency Heroes Day soccer and netball tournament has been hailed as a success after drawing 23 teams over three days of sporting activities aimed at giving youths a positive way to commemorate the country’s Heroes Day.
The tournament, which ran from August 9 to 13, attracted 13 soccer teams and 10 netball teams from different parts of the constituency.
Saba-based Bafana Bafana from Ward 13 emerged winners in the football category after securing the top spot, walking away with a new playing kit and trophy.
Redsea from Mupambe Sichimnwali Village finished second, followed by Shooting Stars from Saba Ward, while Green Arrows from Lubanda Village completed the top four.
In the netball category, Lusulu Queens were crowned champions, with Saba Stars, Hot Spears from Chinonge Area and Magumeni from Lusulu also rewarded for their performances.
Tournament organiser Mr Noah Mumpande said the event provided young people with an opportunity to celebrate the country’s heroes through sport while promoting positive lifestyles.
“It was a good tournament which helped our youths celebrate the country’s heroes in a very productive way. We had 13 soccer teams and 10 netball teams,” he said.
Mr Mumpande said the tournament also provided a platform for various stakeholders to raise awareness on issues affecting young people, including drug and substance abuse, crime and early child marriages.
He said Binga was not immune to the growing problem of substance abuse, with illicit alcohol and cannabis destroying the lives of young people.
“Among other stakeholders we had the Zimbabwe Republic Police who conducted crime awareness. We want our youths to benefit from the empowerment programmes being rolled out by the Second Republic under President Mnangagwa to Binga, but they cannot do anything meaningful if they destroy themselves with drugs and substances,” he said.
Mr Mumpande said organisers planned to make the tournament an annual event, with efforts to increase participation and improve the prizes on offer.
Beyond sport, the tournament also provided entertainment, with several artistes performing for the crowds.
Among those who entertained the crowds was Lubu Muchesu, a BaTonga dance group that promotes and preserves Tonga culture.
Zambian artiste Money Micho, who had been expected to perform, could not make it due to elections taking place in Zambia.
