Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIFA have partnered United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for the TotalEnergies CAF Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations 2026/COSAFA qualifiers that start in Harare and Norton tomorrow.
UNFPA country representative for Zimbabwe, Miranda Tabifor, told Zimpapers Sports Hub they aim to use the stage as a vehicle to empower and to promote healthy lifestyles among young people by addressing issues such as drug and substance abuse, teenage pregnancies and gender-based violence.
“We are very excited as UNFPA to partner with ZIFA. The tournament is actually targeting a critical population that our mandate as UNPFA also focuses on – young people.
“In context of this tournament we are going to be using the platform not only to advance sport as a vehicle for social transformation. We are also going to be using sport to pass across key massages when it comes to gender-based violence,” said Tabitor.
The COSAFA Under 17 tournament is scheduled to run from tomorrow up to September 20 in Harare, with 12 teams from the region participation.
Matches will be staged at The Heart Stadium in Waterfalls and Ngoni in Norton ,with gates open free to the public for all group matches.
Tabifor said apart from setting up stalls at the match venues, UNFPA will also have community outreach programmes to spread the message during the tournament.
“In the communities there is going to be awareness raising as the first area that we are focusing. Secondly, we are going to be using the space to ensure that young people are empowered as solutions for positive change in the communities.
“Then, lastly through the expertise we have as UNFPA, we are going to be having some coaching sessions for the young people because sport alone is also very healthy for the young people. It’s also a space where you can empower the younger generation.
“So, that is the excitement that we have with ZIFA and COSAFA. The Government of Zimbabwe has done well to host this tournament here,” said Tabifor.
