Faith Ndou
MASVINGO-Tens of youths gathered at the Mucheke Volleyball Courts on Saturday to celebrate National Youth Day with a friendly volleyball tournament hosted by Masvingo Wellness Academy Volleyball Club (MWA VC).
The event brought together teams from Gutu Bombers, Bondolfi Teachers College, and Masvingo Poly, all united under the banner of promoting wellness and mental health among the youth.
The tournament was more than just a sports event, it was a celebration of wellness and the importance of making positive life choices. The tournament’s motto,”Wellness in promoting mental health and well-being, saying no to bad choices and abuse of substances, promoting positivity among youths”.
The games were played in a spirit of unity, fun and education, focusing on raising awareness about critical issues such as substance abuse, mental health and the importance of self-care.
The volleyball tournament produced thrilling encounters as Gutu Bombers emerged as the overall winners after a dominant performance throughout the competition. They began with a convincing 3-0 victory over MWA VC and went on to edge Masvingo Poly 3-2 before sealing their top spot with a 3-1 win against Bondolfi Teachers College.
Masvingo Poly secured second place after defeating Bondolfi Teachers College 3-1 and narrowly losing 3-2 to both Gutu Bombers and MWA VC. MWA VC finished third, registering wins against Bondolfi Teachers College (3-0) and Masvingo Poly (3-2) while Bondolfi Teachers College settled for fourth position after falling short in all their matches.
Speaking to The Midweek Watch Bekithemba Sibanda, the founder and chairman of Hope Alive Youth Movement, who is also the patron of the volleyball teams emphasized the significance of sports in youth development.
The uniforms of the participants were emblazoned Faith Gang which Sibanda said “it’s a statement of identity; that if we keep our hope alive and act on it we become faith gang. A community of hopeful youth who walk by faith,”.
“We want to make the youths understand that their lives matter,” Sibanda said.
“We provide them with the tools to navigate life, not just by feeling good but by giving them direction and purpose, grounded in the teachings of Christ.”
Hope Alive Youth Movement, established in 2012 in Chitungwiza operates clubs in several cities including Gweru, Bulawayo and now in Masvingo. The organization focuses on creating a supportive environment where youths can express themselves, develop new skills and build networks.
Sibanda explained, “We are here to uplift young people, to remind them that they have purpose and to give them a platform to showcase their gifts and talents.”
The movement also tackles vital issues such as substance abuse, trauma and mental health, offering a safe space for young people to confront and overcome these challenges. Sibanda further shared the organization’s plans to launch a rehabilitation center in Masvingo, aimed at assisting individuals battling substance abuse.
The tournament was not just an opportunity for friendly competition but also a platform for sharing life-changing messages about wellness, mental health and making positive choices underscoring the transformative power of sports in bringing communities together and inspiring change especially in the fight against substance abuse and other youth-related challenges.
