Online Reporter
Mthabisi Tshuma, Online Reporter
IN a bid to tackle rampant drug and substance abuse among young people, residents of Nkulumane suburb in Bulawayo came together on Saturday to launch a community sports tournament.
The event, held at Amavene Primary School, was part of the International Day of Peace commemorations observed annually on September 21. Running under the theme “Nkulumane Scores: One Dream, One Community, One Nkulumane,” the games drew a large turnout of excited youths and residents.
The football contest featured Amazon FC, Red Rev FC, Nkulumane Sekusile FC, Nkulumane FC and McInn Rovers FC, while netball teams included Sovereign, Amazon Tutorial, Nkulumane Legends, Ghetto Queens, Golden Girls, Flame Stars and Lavendale.
Nkulumane FC lifted the football trophy, with Red Rev FC and McInn Rovers FC finishing second and third respectively. Ghetto Queens were crowned champions in the netball category, edging Nkulumane Legends who settled for second place.
Individual awards went to Hilton Moyo of McInn Rovers FC who was named Player of the Tournament, while the Youngest Player Award was scooped by Amazon FC’s Unathi Sibanda.
The tournament was hosted by Nkulumane Constituency legislator Desire “Moyoxide” Moyo in partnership with Hope Alive Health Centre, founded by former Manama High School student Mr Bekithemba Sibanda — also the founder of Sibbs Queens and Sibbs FC. Support also came from Friends of the Office of the MP and Moyo’s colleagues in the arts sector.
Moyoxide said the event underscored the importance of unity and peace within communities.
“The launch of the sports tournament serves as commemoration of the International Day of Peace. We chose a Saturday when most youths are available, away from school and work.
In our diversity, we want to emphasise that we are one as a community. The name Nkulumane Scores symbolises that every goal and every victory belongs to everyone in Nkulumane,” he said.
The International Day of Peace was established by the United Nations in 1981 as a global observance to strengthen the ideals of peace, encourage dialogue, and work towards a more just world.
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Londile Moyo