Staff Writer
The Zimbabwe Civil Liberties and Drug Network (ZCLDN) Allstars from Mbare emerged victorious in a drug awareness tournament, held over the weekend at Glen Norah stadium in Harare.
The tournament, which was organised by ZCLDN, featured eight teams from different high-density suburbs in Harare, aimed to promote drug awareness and prevention through sports.
The ZCLDN All Stars, defeated C – Academy, a football club from Cherima Section in Highfield via a penalty shootout, winning the golden trophy. . However, Alfred Guwa from C – Academy football club won the best goalkeeper accolade.
The tournament, held under the theme “Support, Don’t Punish,” brought together drug survivors and participants from various suburbs.
The winning coach, Kudakwashe Madzima, expressed joy and pride in his team’s dedication and hard work.
“Today’s victory is not just about winning a tournament, but about scoring a goal against drug use in our communities.
“Our players have shown that they are not only skilled on the field but also committed to promoting a drug-free lifestyle and this tournament has been a fantastic platform to engage young people in the conversation about drug awareness and prevention.”
“I am incredibly proud of our team, ZCLDN allstars, for their dedication and hard work. They are champions both on and off the pitch. This win is a testament to the power of teamwork, discipline, and a shared vision for a drug-free future.”
Blessing Kachidza, a drug survivor from ZCLDN allstars, shared his personal story of transformation through football.
“My journey from drug addiction to recovery has been transformed by football, which has become my source of comfort, strength, and redemption,” he said.
“Football gave me a second chance at life. After struggling with drug addiction, I found solace in the beautiful game. Today, as a member of ZCLDN Stars and a drug survivor, I am proud to be part of a team that is not only passionate about football but also dedicated to spreading awareness about the dangers of drug use.
“I decided to leave drugs because I would engage in mischievous behaviour. People, especially youths can get something to keep them busy instead of engaging into drugs,” Kachidza said.
ZCLDN Director Wilson Box emphasized the need for drug policy reform, citing the evolution of drug use into a pressing public health issue.
“Football has the power to unite and inspire, and we have seen that power in action this weekend. Let us continue to use sports as a tool for social change,” he said.
“Let us expand our ecosystems of change by fostering an environment where health, human rights and dignity are at the forefront of our response to drug use.
The tournament aimed to promote harm reduction in drug use and healthy lifestyles.
Box emphasized the importance of supporting people who use drugs rather than criminalizing them. “By engaging them in productive activities, they can contribute to the economy of Zimbabwe in its quest to achieve a middle-income status by 2030,” he said.
The event was free, and participating teams received balls as a token of gratitude. The ZCLDN allstars, consisting of drug survivors from the organization Mubatira Pamwe, also participated in the tournament.
Overall, the tournament was a resounding success, promoting drug awareness and prevention through sports and fostering a supportive community for drug survivors.
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