The ManicaPost
Liberty Dube
Sports Correspondent
MORE than 10 female basketball teams from Manicaland will tomorrow (Saturday) battle for supremacy at a basketball tournament to be held at Mutare Boys’ High School.
The event which is the brainchild of Manicaland Basketball Association and other stakeholders will be held under the theme: “Women and youth in basketball against drug abuse, teenage pregnancies and early girl child marriages”.
The event will be held against the backdrop of rampant drug and substance abuse among youths as well as unwanted and unplanned teenage pregnancies, while early child marriages have been a cause of concern in Manicaland and Zimbabwe at large.
The tournament promises to be exhilarating as female basketball teams to participate will be drawn from primary, secondary, tertiary colleges and the community at large.
Teams drawn up to participate include Chancellor Junior School, Nyamauru High School, Dangamvura Knight Academy, Chikanga Academy, Mutare Teachers’ College, Africa University, Rusape Queens, Diamond Mavericks and Swishers as well as other teams from local female basketball clubs.
“We are glad that several stakeholders are willing to be part of this event. We have partnered with several sponsors who will be part of this event such as Nyaradzo, Youth Alive, Spar Mutare and several others. We are looking forward to a successful event as we strive to fight contentious issues among youths such as drug and substance abuse, unwanted pregnancies and child marriages through sport.
“This is an opportunity for organisers, stakeholders and other youths to gather and preach against the scourges that have destroyed lives and futures of many. We are targeting women and young girls from primary and secondary schools, colleges and other community teams to be part of the event. However, it is also open to all those interested in the sport,” said one of the organisers, Rita Sebia.
She added: “The event will provide a platform for people, particularly women, to sell their wares, advertise and market their services and products for free. There will also be entertainment for kids.”
The event starts at 10am and ends at 6pm.
