Online Reporter
Moreblessing Phiri Chronicle Correspondent
DRUG and substance abuse is increasingly robbing young people of their bright futures, destroying careers, ambitions and opportunities before they can be realised, Deputy Director in the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, Ms Mavhonani Muleya, has warned.
Speaking at the recent Vocational Training Centres (VTCs) provincial sports gala commissioning and close-out ceremony held at Avoca Training Centre in Mangwe District, Ms Muleya said the scourge was threatening to derail the aspirations of many youths at a time when vocational training was equipping them with practical skills for self-reliance and employment.
The sports gala, which started on Thursday, 17 June, was held under the theme: “From Play to Purpose, Shaping a Future of Drug-Free Champions Through Sports in VTCs.”
“Drug and substance abuse is fast hijacking our fields of play, our streets, our homes, schools, and all sectors of life. Too often, it is robbing the youth of their bright and promising destiny,” she said.
“Drugs don’t just affect performance on the day of a game, they affect the entire health and well-being of a person, shattering careers and the dreams you are building here in Vocational Training Centres.”
Ms Muleya said sport could play a critical role in steering young people away from destructive behaviour by instilling discipline, teamwork and resilience.
“Today, we are flipping a new script. We are taking the same discipline, teamwork, and fire that make champions on the field and bringing it into your training, your work, and your choices for positive development,” she said.
Ms Muleya described Vocational Training Centres as beacons of hope that provide pathways out of unemployment through practical skills training in disciplines such as woodwork, baking, welding, catering and entrepreneurship.
She stressed that technical skills alone were not enough to guarantee success in the workplace.
“A skilled technician with discipline beats a skilled technician without it every time. Employers do not just hire people with certificates, they hire attitudes, reliability, and the ability to work under pressure.
“Sports train exactly that. The field is a safe place to fail, to try again, to lead, and to follow,” said Ms Muleya.
She added that participation in sport helps build qualities that are essential in the world of work.
“Every training session is a rehearsal for the real world. Imagine our technicians walking into jobs not only with technical skills, but with the stamina to work long shifts, the focus to avoid mistakes, and the mental toughness to handle setbacks. That is a future worth building, and it starts here, today, on this very field, with every game you play.”
Ms Muleya urged learners to make deliberate choices that support their personal growth and future success.
“Being drug-free is not about restriction, it’s about choice, focus, goals, and destiny. Focus on vocational education, where practical skills expose you to real opportunities. Sports keep your body strong and your mind clear. It builds a community where peer pressure pushes you towards training, not towards drugs,” she added.
Ms Muleya further encouraged the youth to treat their bodies as the temple of God.
“The discipline you build here will outlast every medal,” she said.
“We are not just creating players, but shaping a future of drug-free champions who are technicians, entrepreneurs, and leaders,” she said.
Also present was the Provincial Drug and Substance Abuse Taskforce. Representatives from its six pillars encouraged the youth to desist from drug and substance abuse, stating that it is harmful to their bodies.
The vocational training centres that participated in the sports gala were Esigodini, Guyu, Avoca and Phangani.
