malvernmugadzikwa
Don Makanyanga
Sports Reporter
FOR many, Dave Houghton’s legacy will mostly revolve around his captaincy and coaching stints with the senior national cricket team.
Lately, he has been credited for the Chevrons’ resurgence.
However, what many probably do not know is that the 61-year-old former Zimbabwe captain’s passion runs deeper than just the senior team’s success on the international stage.
He also wants to positively impact on players under his tutelage.
“I still wake up every morning and say, ‘Where can I raise funds?’ I am a Christian — and I have been one for a long time — and genuinely believe in helping people,” said Houghton.
In 1998, he embarked on a 440-kilometre journey from Bulawayo to Harare, which lasted for 22 days. He raised US$40 000 through the walk.
The purpose of those funds was to build a national cricket academy, something he hoped would act as a vehicle for change for local players.
“I did a walk from Bulawayo to Harare, and the goal was to raise money to build a national cricket academy,” he said.
“I had mentioned the need for an academy for some time but kept being blocked by ZC (Zimbabwe Cricket), after which I decided to raise the funds by myself, and I am glad I did.
“And from the moment we raised the money and got the building built, ZC came on board full-time and helped with paying salaries and running the academy.
“I think the players who came through the academy at that time learnt so much from the courses that were being run.
“The building and cricket fields are something else, but it is the course that you provide that makes the difference.”
With country battling the scourge of drug and substance abuse, Houghton’s love for making a difference in the community has been rekindled.
He is getting actively involved in the fight against drugs and addiction.
“I was stunned by the drug problem in this country, how bad it is, and how little people know about it,” said the gaffer.
“Issues of drugs and addiction do not strike you until they affect someone close to you.
“I had people close to me who got addicted and I found out about it. I had a couple of conversations with them and they told me their stories,” he added.
“It is tragic to see young people in their 20s, 30s and 40s being addicted to this problem, and, fortunately, the guys I have spoken to have been in rehab, either here or out of the country.
“The more you associate with guys like that, the more you realise how deep the problem is, and how much there is need for help.”
He is set to embark on a 50km walk to raise funds to fight substance abuse.
He, however, noted that the walk, which will be a bimonthly event between former Chevrons skipper Brendon Taylor and him, is no longer a stroll in the park given his age.
“The walk is taxing and quite tiring, but it is not going to kill me.
“If it raises money that can change lives of few people, then I feel it is of benefit,” said Houghton.
After being convinced of the need for a rehabilitation centre, Houghton recently embarked on a 50km walk in which he targeted to raise US$250 000.
“Before I took a single step of that walk, I said to myself that the longer we keep this in the public domain, the more awareness we are putting around the fight against the problem.
“Even if we do not raise the targeted amount, if we only raise awareness, then we are already doing a good job.
“We have not really got the figure of what we need to get this going, but we need to raise something in the region of US$250 000.
“From these walks and donations that I have had from friends, we are now somewhere near the halfway mark,” he said. Houghton added that the country needed at least three rehabilitation centres, especially since getting help outside the country has proven to be a bit expensive.
“I know a couple of people who were involved in drugs and went into rehabilitation in Cape Town and it is very expensive.
“After you are done with the course outside and you are back home, there is nowhere these guys can get regular support.
“This is why the need for rehab centres in Zimbabwe is massive.
“I think we need probably two or three in the country, and we have started with these small steps to get the first one done.”
Online Reporter