A SOUTH AFRICA-BASED Zimbabwean businessman Clemence Mabidhi has joined the fight against drugs and substance abuse in schools by hosting a “Say no to drugs, yes to football” schools tournament in his hometown, Mvuma, tomorrow.
Eight schools from Mvuma, including hosts Takawira, New England, Chamakanda, Mukomberanwa, Gonawapotera, Holy Cross, Musena and Driefontein, will battle it out in a tournament whose main focus is to raise awareness about the dangers of taking drugs.
Warriors legend Ronald “Gidiza” Sibanda will lead a cast of former players that have been invited to grace the event.
Other football greats set to attend are Joel Luphahla, Johannes Ngodzo, Hebert Dick, Edmore Sibanda, Prince Matore and Mvuma’s finest Roderick Mutuma.
Tournament organiser Mabidhi said this is his small way of contributing towards the fight against the drugs and substance abuse scourge that has hit the country and threatening to destroy communities.
“I have been hosting these ‘No to Drugs football tournaments in Mvuma in the last few years, targeting older people because I thought they were the most affected,” he said.
“I have come to realise that the drug problem is growing in schools and is threatening to destroy the main fabric of our society and the future of our country.
“I visited Mvuma recently and what I saw is disheartening. The rate at which young children are also taking drugs is worrying. Something has to be done to stop this. So, this tournament is my small way to help keep the boys and girls busy and occupied so that they are not tempted to take drugs.”
Added Mabidhi: “Together with my team, we have invited a number of football legends to attend the tournament so that they can talk to the children about the dangers of taking these drugs. We have to get the message out there. It has to reach all the kids and they should be aware that drugs kill.
“The former players will also talk about the importance of taking part in sports and of taking sport as a career. We have to use sport as a vehicle to get the ‘Say No to Drugs’ message across. We will have a boys’ football tournament this year just as a start, but the plan is to grow and also incorporate girls’ tournaments and other sporting codes in the future.”
Those who will excel at the tournament are set to walk away with various prizes.
Finalists will get original Umbro kits, with the champions also set to get a floating trophy and US$150.
Runners-up will also get a trophy and US$100 on top of the kit.
No team will walk away empty-handed as all participants will be given football balls.
Player, top goal scorer, goalkeeper and coach of the tournament are all going to be rewarded handsomely. Mabidhi is also planning to host a similar event in Beitbridge later this year, a town where he has his other business interests.
Early this year, he donated football jerseys to boys and girls football teams at Fairfields Primary and Holy Cross schools in Mvuma.
His sports development initiatives have also seen him, together with his brother, develop Mabidhi Sports Arena, a 5 000-seater stadium in Beitbridge. The facility was used by premier league sides Dynamos and GreenFuel last year for their pre-season preparations.