Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
ACROSS Gwanda North Constituency, something quietly powerful is unfolding. On dusty fields and familiar open spaces, a series of youth centred sports tournaments are breathing new life into communities, turning ordinary days into moments of purpose.
These gatherings are doing more than crowning winners; they are creating opportunities to spot young talent, draw youths together and confront, head on, the growing shadow of drug and substance abuse.
Held ward by ward, the tournaments have become a rolling celebration of football and netball, with local teams stepping forward to represent their areas with pride.
The games have drawn children from their homes, elders from their shade trees and parents from their routines, all drawn by the magnetic pull of sport and the promise of something constructive taking shape before their eyes.
Recently, that energy converged in the Wililisa area of Ward 2, where the sound of whistles and cheering voices carried across the fields. Seven local teams battled it out in a soccer tournament, while six teams competed fiercely in the netball competition. It was a day marked by sweat, laughter, rivalry and respect, with young players seizing their moment to shine.
In the netball competition, One Club claimed top honours, taking first place and a prize of R1 500. Silikiwe followed closely in second place with R1 100, while Wililisa finished third to receive R900. Vusizwe settled for fourth place with R500, and Nkanyiso and Kwareng completed the standings, each walking away with R500. For many of the players, the prize money mattered, but the applause, recognition and sense of belonging mattered even more.
The football matches were equally gripping. Dambashoko emerged victorious, lifting the winner’s prize of R2 600 after a hard fought contest. Shake claimed second place and R1 600, with Gumanye finishing third and taking home R1 000. Wililisa placed fourth and received R700, followed by Nkwidzi, Silikwe and Nkanyiso, each awarded R700. As the final whistle blew, it was clear that the true victory lay in participation, discipline and shared experience.
Driving this initiative is Zanu PF shadow MP, Lungisani Costa Ncube, whose vision goes beyond sporting trophies. The tournaments are his brainchild, designed to empower young people and give visibility to talent that often remains hidden, particularly in rural communities. Crucially, the programme targets youths both in and out of school, recognising that potential does not reside in classrooms alone.
“I have been holding sporting tournaments in the constituency as part of efforts to empower youths and to nurture sporting talents. We have young people in the rural areas who are talented in sports but have never had an opportunity to showcase this talent.
“Through these tournaments the youngsters can be identified thereby creating an opportunity for them to exploit their talent. Young people have to realise that sport can be a career path which can be pursued and can bring income. These tournaments will be held in all wards in Gwanda North,” said Ncube.
For Ncube, sport is a powerful social tool. It keeps young people engaged, focused and productive, offering them structure in a time when idle hours often become dangerous ones. He believes that organised sporting activity can anchor youths to positive routines and, in doing so, strengthen the social fabric of entire communities.
His concern about the current challenges facing young people is evident. Drug and substance abuse, he notes, continues to strip communities of potential, while teenage pregnancies and child marriages are quietly robbing young girls of their futures.
“Our young people are the leaders of today and tomorrow but most are throwing away their future because of drug and substance abuse. Girls are also falling victim to teenage pregnancies and child marriages.
“Sporting is one way of keeping young people occupied and productive. This initiative will not only end with holding sport tournaments but also establishing sporting facilities. His Excellency has said “ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo and therefore it’s our duty as a community to groom, nurture and protect our youth”.
At a local level, traditional leaders have welcomed the tournaments as a timely and practical response to challenges they confront daily. Wililisa village head, Amos Ndlovu, said such initiatives play a vital role in steering young people away from crime and destructive behaviour.
He expressed excitement at the prospect of hosting the tournaments regularly, noting that the enthusiasm shown by participating youths had exceeded expectations.
“As traditional leaders we are concerned by the actions of young people as they are engaging in drug and substance abuse. They spend most of their time lingering at shopping centres abusing alcohol. Some as young as 15 or below. Once under the influence of alcohol they go on to engage in criminal activities. This tournament will help to bring sanity in our communities,” he said.
derick.khumalo