dyton mupawaenda
Sports Reporter
THE NEDBANK Premier Netball League is today scheduled to hold a breast cancer awareness netball festival at Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex. The one-day event is expected to feature teams from PNL and social clubs.
PNL secretary-general Liberty Mhizha said October being the breast cancer awareness month, they decided to give their athletes a platform where they can acquire more knowledge and get involved in spreading the message in communities.
“The objective, as we are all aware that October is the month whereby we bring awareness or raise awareness on breast cancer, as PNL we saw it fit to bring the event closer home where our athletes can get a chance to acquire more knowledge.
“We have invited stakeholders like Cancer Association of Zimbabwe and other health practitioners to come and share what breast cancer is.
“Some of the stakeholders will be even offering free screening…So the whole objective is that athletes may not have adequate time to be able to visit these health facilities and get themselves screened.
“So we are saying since it’s breast cancer month and the most affected people are women though of course men are affected as well, we thought it wiser the athletes be the champions of this message.
“Let them get screened, let them take the message to the communities, that it is encouraged to get screened, get help in time,” said Mhizha. Some of the social clubs expected to be part of today’s proceedings include Stanbic and Old Mutual.
“It is an open tournament where everybody, anyone, is invited to come and participate.
“So outside the perennial PNL clubs that we know, we have clubs like Stanbic, Old Mutual, Batanai to name a few. They have already confirmed their participation for tomorrow’s event.
“So this is open to anybody who is interested in bringing awareness about breast cancer within the communities.”
The PNL teams are awaiting their final bubble due to take place early next month where they will crown the 2023 champions. And for some of the clubs, they may use this platform as part of their build up to the final games.
PNL chairperson Sarudzai Chapo said various activities are lined up for the day.
“October being breast cancer awareness month, we thought it was fit to join the rest of the world in raising awareness to the condition which does not only affect women but men as well.
“As such all roads lead to (Chitungwiza) Aquatic Complex where we will host a netball festival in raising awareness on the matter. Apart from the netball games to be played, cancer screening, zumba and other activities are lined up for the day,” said Chapo
Online Reporter