ZAFFA to host second health football tourney

THE Zambia Football Fans Association (ZAFFA) has expressed readiness to host its second health education football tournament to be held in Lusaka. Speaking in Lusaka after receiving the first batch of football gear procured from an upcoming and local sports brand, Yesu Sports, association general secretary Chawezi Katwizi said ZAFFA is committed to help develop football at the grassroots Kabwizi noted that ZAFFA was happy to partner with a local sports brand to help develop grassroots’ football. "Football will always start from the grassroots, if you have a strong foundation, then you know you are going to have a strong house so that is our main focus as ZAFFA. We want to contribute to football in a different way because we understand that football is beyond just cheering, there is a lot involved and we want to contribute to football development in the country as fans in our own unique way," Katwizi said. Kabwizi noted that health education among athletes is crucial as it enables athletes to familiarize with dangerous diseases which affect young people. He added that ZAFFA is focused on empower athletes at grassroots level using football as a tool for promoting health awareness. “Developing grassroots football alone without health education among footballers, officials and community members cannot go anywhere as health is a common denominator to having a healthy lifestyle of sports men, women and the community. “The ZAFFA football tourney will start with a two-days health education workshop on HIV, Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), Prevention from Mother-To-Child Transmission (PMTCT), Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Child Protection Rights among others. Fifty people from the community will be trained into Peer Educators and among them will be team captains, coaches, officials, students and community members,” he said. Kabwizi said that the health educational football tournament will involve both male and female teams’ under-19 years. Participating teams at the tournament will walk away with prizes ranging from Jerseys, balls and medals after being enlightened on health matters.