HARARE – Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) board member for development, Brighton “Pan Jap” Ushendibaba, took the fight against drug abuse to the football pitch on Saturday, hosting a 10-team tournament in Harare under the banner “Say No to Drugs.”
The event, which drew a large crowd, was organised by Pan Jap Motors in partnership with Restore Life Rehabilitation Centre, and doubled as both a sporting showcase and a drug awareness campaign.
The tournament was designed to use the universal appeal of football to drive home a critical social message. Drug abuse has become a growing concern in Zimbabwe, particularly among young people, and organisers said sport provides a powerful platform to influence behaviour and inspire healthier choices.
Restore Life Rehabilitation Centre supported the initiative by providing professional counselling services during the event. Attendees were also offered drug testing and information sessions on the dangers of substance abuse.
By combining sport with practical rehabilitation support, the campaign sought to demonstrate that prevention and recovery are both possible, while offering a message of hope to those struggling with addiction.
Speaking after the final whistle, Ushendibaba, who is also a youthful businessman and well-known car dealer, expressed his satisfaction with both the turnout and the enthusiasm shown by participants and spectators alike.
“I’m happy you came in your numbers,” he told the crowd. “The purpose of this tournament was to spread the word to the whole country at large that we are saying ‘No to Drugs’. This was not just about football; it was about saving lives.”
He added that the devastating impact of drugs was visible across society, destroying families, cutting short promising careers, and robbing communities of future leaders.
“Drugs have destroyed lives in many communities and ended careers of people with great potential. We all know names in the football fraternity who have suffered because of substance abuse. This campaign is about making sure the next generation does not go down the same path,” Ushendibaba said.
Pan Jap Ushendibaba Uses Football Tournament to Tackle Drug Abuse in Harare
The tournament was not only a platform for awareness but also a gathering of familiar faces from Zimbabwe’s football circles. Coaches, players, and administrators joined the cause, lending their voices to the campaign.
Fans also appreciated the initiative, praising the use of sport to highlight a pressing social problem. Many said the campaign resonated with them because drug abuse has become a visible challenge in both urban and rural communities.
A spectator at the tournament remarked:
“When football is used for a good cause like this, it attracts young people in a positive way. Sport gives them something to look forward to and keeps them away from dangerous habits.”
Drug and substance abuse has increasingly made headlines in Zimbabwe over the past few years. Health officials, educators, and community leaders have all expressed concern over the easy availability of drugs such as crystal meth, broncleer cough syrup, and marijuana, which have devastated young lives.
Football, being the country’s most popular sport, has not been spared. Reports of players derailed by drug use have underscored the urgency of addressing the issue within the sporting sector itself.
By hosting the “Say No to Drugs” tournament, Ushendibaba said he hoped to set an example for others in positions of influence to use their platforms constructively.
“As a ZIFA board member, I saw it fit that through Pan Jap Motors we host this football tournament as a Drug Awareness Campaign,” he explained. “This is just the beginning. We need more people in leadership, business, and sport to come together and fight this scourge.”
The campaign also highlighted the role of rehabilitation in addressing drug abuse. Restore Life officials stressed that while prevention was critical, communities also needed to embrace those already battling addiction.
They urged families to seek help for their loved ones, noting that recovery was possible with the right support. “Counselling, rehabilitation, and community support can give those affected a second chance at life,” one official said.
Organisers have hinted at plans to expand the initiative into other provinces, combining football tournaments with awareness campaigns in different parts of the country. The goal, they say, is to make the anti-drug message a national movement that resonates with young people in schools, communities, and sports clubs.
For now, the Harare event was deemed a success. It combined entertainment, competition, and social responsibility in a way that left both participants and spectators inspired.
As the sun set on the tournament, the message remained clear: Zimbabwe’s youth have a future worth protecting, and communities must unite to fight the scourge of drugs.
Source- NehandaRadio
