Social soccer teams partner Men’s Clinic in new prostate cancer fight

THE Harare Professionals Soccer League (Hpsl) has partnered with the Men’s Health Clinic and Progressive Labs where the latter will provide free prostate cancer screening for players and officials during the tournament.

This year’s competition kicks off today at St Georges College and will see eight teams compete for top honours.

“At our annual general meeting, we resolved to focus on men’s health this year under the specific theme- man up, shrink the prostate,” said Sizani Weza, Hpsl chairman and President of Real Mavericks.

Hpsl is Harare's most competitive non-professional recreational soccer league pitting top commercial companies; community owned clubs and non-governmental organisations. Membership is by affiliation. “We understand the challenges that men face as they age. Social soccer keeps them active but we need increased awareness on these issues.”

Weza said the league will partner players in the medical and nutrition sector to encourage health behaviours among the 33 members.

Each year, 18 clubs compete in the league

For the tournament, eight participating clubs are defending champions Real Mavericks; hosts St Georges Dragons Airports

Company of Zimbabwe, Bakers Inn; Trade Kings; Ambassadors; Zim Gold; and Surface Wilmer.

Winners have the bragging rights of being Cup kings as well as walk away with a trophy and medals.

“There are a number of ways to screen for prostate cancer,” explained Ben Jammaine Ncube, CEO of the Men’s Health Clinic.

“Our laboratory partner, Progressive Labs, will be using the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) as it is simpler to do on-site. When a man has prostate cancer, his blood will have elevated quantities of what is known as a prostate specific antigen.”

Ncube emphasized that blood samples will be taken from the finger or the arm. Results will be ready by evening the same day, however, “screened individuals will be contacted separately next week with the results and follow up care where necessary”.

Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, Hpsl partnered PEPFAR and other HIV and AIDS organizations to host a similar tournament dubbed Test and Score.

Over 200 individuals — players and visitors around Mbare — were tested for HIV and received life-saving information and health contacts.