NAC partners lady golfers to raise HIV, cancer awareness

Standard People
THE National AIDS Council (NAC) has intensified its support for local golf after partnering the Zimbabwe Ladies Golf Union (ZLGU) for a two-day golf tournament to be held at Royal Harare end of August. This is not the first time the national AIDS board has shown its backing for local golf having bankrolled a number […]

THE National AIDS Council (NAC) has intensified its support for local golf after partnering the Zimbabwe Ladies Golf Union (ZLGU) for a two-day golf tournament to be held at Royal Harare end of August.

This is not the first time the national AIDS board has shown its backing for local golf having bankrolled a number of gold tournaments, including fund raising occasions in partnership with the Zimbabwe Golf Association.

The 2018 and 2019 NAC fundraising golf tournaments raised resources, which saw the AIDS board procure cancer screening machines.

Proceeds from the 2018 golf tournament saw NAC buying 16 cancer screening machines, which were handed over to the Health and Child Care ministry for onward donation to rural health centres across the country.

First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa presided over the handover ceremony of the TruScreen-Ultra cervical cancer screening machines.

In 2019 a similar tournament was held with the aim of buying more cancer screening machines.

However, last year’s tournament was put on hold due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

NAC and ZLGU in partnerships are funding the tournament, which also draws competitors from South Africa, Botswana, Nambia and Zambia, to the tune of US$15 000.

Speaking at the launch of the tournament, at Royal Harare on Thursday, NAC chief executive, Bernard Madzima, said the response to HIV and AIDS, as well as cancer, will strongly benefit from deliberate partnerships with corporate sectors.

“We are also aware that high level women are ordinarily missed by most HIV preventive, and cancer awareness and screening programmes, due to their work and business commitments,’’ madzima said.

“We, therefore, would like to sensitise women about the need to seek, and utilise services for HIV testing, cervical and other cancers’ screening, as well as Covid-19 screening.’’

Sports Commission acting director general, Sebastian Garikai, said the Ladies Golf Tournament resonates with the sports body and ministry of Sport’s thrust to promote sport.

“We, therefore, need such initiatives, not just for golf, but all sports,’’ he said.

“You will agree with me that golf is a sport for the mature.

“I am appealing to NAC, and other related entities, to roll out such a concept to all other sports, and communities, so that all our people can benefit from the advantages of participating in sports for health.”

ZLGU president, Ann Nduku, said they will make sure everyone gets value for their efforts.