Online Reporter
Media Mpofu, Zimpapers Sports Hub
A new season of the HIV Prevention Sports League has kicked off in Bulawayo, bringing together 16 football teams and 16 netball sides from the city’s western suburbs.
Introduced by the National Aids Council (NAC) in 2015, the league has weathered challenges — including the Covid-19 pandemic and remains a vital community initiative that uses sport to promote health awareness. Fixtures are community-owned and run alongside special tournaments that transform match days into more than just sporting events.
Kenneth Ncube, co-ordinator of the HIV Prevention Sports League, said the mission is simple: to harness the power of sport to bring people together and connect them with life-saving services.
“We bring people together so we can test them for HIV, offer family planning, screen for non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and share sexual and reproductive health information,” said Ncube.
He said teams compete not only for points but also for their ability to mobilise communities and spread knowledge.
“Teams help disseminate information within their communities, encouraging people to access services during the tournaments. That’s what makes this initiative unique,” he said.
Beyond winning matches, clubs are tasked with rallying supporters, sharing basic health messages, and encouraging participation in the services available at match venues. Fans, while cheering on their teams, also support the broader health campaign.
Football was added to the programme to broaden participation and engage men —who are often underrepresented in HIV and Aids-related activities.
“We saw this as an opportunity for men to receive information and support the initiative. This is an integrated approach where we don’t just talk about HIV, we also address the dangers of substance abuse and epidemic preparedness,” said Ncube.
