Chronicle Editor
Fairness Moyana recently in Dete
PARTICIPATION in sporting activities helps to reduce Gender-Based Violence (GBV) cases in communities, a veteran football administrator has said.
Officiating at the Rhino Champions Cup League (RCCL) during the presentation of awards to outstanding teams and players in Dete recently, Matabeleland North Provincial Referees Instructor, David Sibanda said direct and indirect participation in sporting activities helps in reducing stress which is one of the main causes of domestic violence.
“Sport has various health benefits that refresh the body and mind. Football is a family sport that is refreshing and it helps in reducing conflicts and stress that often contribute to domestic violence. When one partner goes out to watch or participate in a football match, it helps in refreshing the mind thereby calming tensions,” said Sibanda.
He said football was a unifier of communities that serves to create and deepen relations while offering entertainment.
Sibanda said there was a need to continue encouraging the participation of youths in sports in order to curb drug and substance abuse.
“Keeping our youths occupied particularly in active sports like football will also go a long way in curbing drug and substance abuse which is rampant among our young people. When you concentrate on football as youths, you will not have time for mischief,” said Sibanda.
He encouraged players and administrators to be acquainted with the rules of the game saying this ensures there are no incidents of hooliganism and violence at football matches.
Organisers of the RCCL recently held an indaba targeting football clubs, referees, supporters and other stakeholders in response to increased cases of hooliganism in the local league. This also came as gender activists have raised concerns at the increasing gender- based violence cases in the area.
The RCCL is an amateur football league in rural Hwange for young men and women located in communities surrounding national parks.
The Division One Soccer League, which is sponsored by Wild and Free Foundation and Painted Dog Conservation (PDC), is benefiting communities in Mabale, Dete, Lupote and Silewu wards.
Painted Dog Conservation Operations director, David Kuvawoga said the league was promoting community involvement in conservation efforts which he said was key to sustainable development.
“PDC is honoured to be part of this programme which is different from the past when conservation was about animals and rangers with guns without interacting with communities. We have over the years realised that in order to succeed in our vision to protect our painted dogs and wildlife, there is a need to create an environment for them to thrive through community engagements in conservation efforts.
“It has to be a holistic approach where people are involved so that they benefit from their natural resources. So this league is speaking to that. I also want to encourage everyone to participate in clean-ups. Our forests and environments are littered and it’s not good for our domestic and wildlife hence we need to act,” said Kuvawoga.
RCCL chief executive officer, Ndodana Masuku said the league was growing with the introduction of the junior and female soccer teams in addition to the 20 men’s clubs.
“The league is really growing as evidenced by the establishment of the junior and female soccer teams. We have had a successful season with the 20 clubs participating in their fixtures which has brought us to this merit awards ceremony meant to celebrate achievements. Our other teams are running though we are having challenges with the female teams as this is a new concept, “said Masuku.
Sixteen-year-old Ngqabutho Mhlanga of Lupote Eagles scooped the Soccer Star of the Year award with the Top Goal Scorer honour going to Rock Rabbits’ Nathan Siaponeka who finished the season with 33 goals to his name.
Both players walked away with a trophy and cash prize courtesy of Nokel Security.
Zebras FC lifted the championship trophy for the second time in a row after managing to collect 97 points while Chapungu FC from Dingani came second with 94 points and on third place was Honey Badgers FC from Dete with 79 points.
The league also honoured coaches, female referees as well as sponsors who had contributed towards its success.
The league which runs under the motto “Giving poaching a red card”, was established two years ago and has made tremendous inroads in its quest to create awareness of wildlife conservation through sport with communities responding positively towards the initiative which also offers entertainment.
The RCCL was founded in Mozambique in August 2016 by Wild and Free and a bunch of freethinkers, disruptors and groundbreakers, with the fierceness required to free young people from poaching and give poaching syndicates the red card, creating impact from within the communities affected by poaching and changing the game in conservation.
The league has spread its wings to cover Zimbabwe and Namibia with Botswana and Tanzania set to be incorporated soon.
The league has received global attention, having been recently named winner of the 2023 BBC Green Sport Awards Grassroots Organisation Of The Year.
The Rhino Cup Champions League is making a big difference in reducing the number of rhino deaths. Statistics from the villages with soccer teams show a 90 percent reduction in the number of arrests and deaths of young men related to poaching.
Online Reporter