Shamva netball tourney empowers 500 young girls 4 ED, fosters national development goals

NewsShamva- A netball tournament held in Shamva on Saturday brought together over 500 young girls for a day of sport, counselling, and mentorship, marking a significant step towards empowering a new generation and aligning with the Second Republic’s Vision 2030 and National Development Strategy 2 (NDS 2).The event, organized by Nyati mine owner Mr. Sam Paul, affectionately known as Boss Sam, transcended a typical sporting competition. While 20 elite players from Shamva North and South battled on the court, the primary focus was on the hundreds of young girls gathered for vital life skills and empowerment messages..

Paul emphasized the impact of the initiative.“What you are seeing today is the emergence of a new generation of young girls for ED, girls who are empowered, educated and equipped to say no to child marriage and substance abuse,” he said.He further articulated plans for expansion, adding:“But this cannot be a one-day event. We are already in discussions with relevant authorities and local stakeholders to take this model nationwide. We want every district in Zimbabwe to have its own ‘World Cup’ a platform where sport becomes the shield that protects our girls.”This vision, according to Boss Sam, aligns seamlessly with NDS 2 which prioritizes social protection, gender equality and human capital development.He stressed the necessity of collaborative efforts:“Government cannot do it alone.

The private sector, traditional leaders, schools, we all have a role to play.” He also revealed positive initial responses from authorities: “I have already approached the relevant authorities with a proposal. The response has been encouraging. They see what I see, a replicable, low-cost, high-impact intervention that delivers results on the ground.

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These 500 girls are our proof of concept.”Traditional and educational leaders present at the event lauded the initiative.Village Head, Sekuru Chiyangwa, reflected on the positive change: “In the past, we lost our girls to early marriages because we gave them no reason to hope. Today, I see hope in their eyes. They are running, they are cheering, they are learning.

This is the new generation for young girls 4ED, a generation that will take Zimbabwe forward.” He urged local support, stating, “I am calling on all village heads in this province to support this initiative. Let us make Shamva the example that the rest of the country follows.”Teachers highlighted the shift towards coordinated state-civil society collaboration. A teacher from Jiti High School remarked, “As educators, we see the scars of child marriage every day, the empty desks, the dreams cut short.

Paul has done here is create a vehicle that we can all rally behind.”The teacher also called for official recognition and support:“But for this to sustain, we need the Ministry to recognise this as a flagship programme.We need resources, we need policy support, and we need to make this part of the school sports calendar nationwide. These 500 girls are proof that when we invest in them, they deliver.”Mrs Gladys Murewa, a sports instructor from Shamva South observed the transformative impact on the participants. “I have been teaching netball for fifteen years.

I have never seen anything like this. These girls came here today as individuals. They are leaving as a sisterhood.

They know now that they are not alone, that there are teachers, traditional leaders, government departments, and people like Mr. Banda who are fighting for them. That knowledge is more powerful than any trophy,” she explained.The counselling sessions were a key component of the day, with social workers leading discussions on resisting coercion, understanding legal rights, and recognizing the dangers of substance abuse.

Peer educators shared personal testimonies, providing many girls with their first explicit affirmation that their bodies, futures, and choices belonged to them.As Chindunduma High School hoisted the trophy, Boss Sam reiterated his commitment to the program’s future.“This is not the end. This is day one,” he declared. “I am going to knock on every door government, corporate, traditional, until this becomes a national programme.

Vision 2030 is about leaving no one behind. Today, we made sure that 500 girls know they are not behind. They are leading the way.”The event concluded with the girls dispersing to their villages, carrying the day’s energy and the promise of a journey towards empowerment and national progress.Leave a ReplyCancel reply NewsShamva- A netball tournament held in Shamva on Saturday brought together over 500 young girls for a day of sport, counselling, and mentorship, marking a significant step towards empowering a new generation and aligning with the Second Republic’s Vision 2030 and National Development Strategy 2 (NDS 2).The event, organized by Nyati mine owner Mr.

They are leading the way.”The event concluded with the girls dispersing to their villages, carrying the day’s energy and the promise of a journey towards empowerment and national progress. Shamva- A netball tournament held in Shamva on Saturday brought together over 500 young girls for a day of sport, counselling, and mentorship, marking a significant step towards empowering a new generation and aligning with the Second Republic’s Vision 2030 and National Development Strategy 2 (NDS 2).The event, organized by Nyati mine owner Mr. Shamva- A netball tournament held in Shamva on Saturday brought together over 500 young girls for a day of sport, counselling, and mentorship, marking a significant step towards empowering a new generation and aligning with the Second Republic’s Vision 2030 and National Development Strategy 2 (NDS 2).

“What you are seeing today is the emergence of a new generation of young girls for ED, girls who are empowered, educated and equipped to say no to child marriage and substance abuse,” he said. He further articulated plans for expansion, adding: “But this cannot be a one-day event. We want every district in Zimbabwe to have its own ‘World Cup’ a platform where sport becomes the shield that protects our girls.”This vision, according to Boss Sam, aligns seamlessly with NDS 2 which prioritizes social protection, gender equality and human capital development.

He stressed the necessity of collaborative efforts: “Government cannot do it alone. These 500 girls are our proof of concept.” Traditional and educational leaders present at the event lauded the initiative.

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