Online Reporter
Takudzwa Manzero
Correspondent
BUDDING cricketers in Manicaland took part in a three day tournament designed to fight the scourge of drug and substance abuse, which continues to ravage both social and sporting circles in the province.
The festival, held under the theme: “Fighting Against Drug and Substance Abuse”, brought together four academies — Blast Cricket Academy, Legends Cricket Academy, Maiden Cricket Academy, and the host Premier Cricket Academy.
Organisers said the initiative was meant to shield young players from the dangers of drug misuse, which can derail sporting careers and compromise overall well being.
At a young age, cricketers are particularly vulnerable to peer pressure and experimentation, which can lead to addiction and long term physical, emotional, and social problems.
By promoting positive lifestyles and offering alternatives such as sport, communities can help youngsters build resilience, develop healthy habits, and make informed choices.
Early intervention, they added, not only enhances performance and focus, but also mitigates long term consequences such as mental health challenges, strained relationships, and poor academic outcomes.
Premier Cricket Academy director, Tatenda Mupunga, said the festival achieved its objectives.
“When we mooted the idea, our main aim was to promote positive lifestyles among young people. Cricketers, like most youths in Zimbabwe, are vulnerable to the social ills of drug and substance abuse. We took a ‘catch them young’ approach by involving players from as young as five up to 15. With facilities like those at Hillcrest, youngsters can enjoy sport as a protective shield against peer pressure. I am glad the event brought together budding cricketers from various schools and academies while raising awareness on the dangers of drug misuse,” he said.
Premier Cricket Academy recently secured a US$1 500 monthly sponsorship from Tinty’s Hardware to nurture grassroots talent, improve facilities, and support structured competitive cricket nationwide.
The three day festival was the first hosted by the club and capped off a busy year that included tours in Harare and Zambia.
To demonstrate that sport complements academics, the academy’s top order batsman, Takaropafadzwa Madiro, who leads the provincial school scoreboard in runs, recently passed Grade Seven with six units.
Madiro, tipped as Manicaland’s next big star, also earned an all expenses paid scholarship at Hillcrest College.
Manicaland Cricket Association board member, Terry Nyakurimwa, applauded the growing support for grassroots cricket.
“As an association, we are here to facilitate investment into local talent and reduce sporting expenses. We urge corporates to continue supporting youths in cricket to open the sport to more players. Parents and the community are welcome, as their involvement has boosted confidence among young players who embody the sport’s future,” he said.
