The Chegutu ZRP Camp was transformed into a vibrant hub of hope and conviction last Saturday as the Apostolic Faith Mission in Zimbabwe (AFMinZ) Mid North province launched its annual Overseer’s Cup.
Far from a standard weekend of athletics, the tournament served as a strategic frontline in the battle against the drug and substance abuse epidemic currently ravaging the nation’s youth.
Bringing together hundreds of young people from Chegutu, Kadoma, Sanyati, and Mhondoro, the event utilised soccer, netball, volleyball, and chess to offer a compelling alternative to the lure of mbanje, crystal meth, and alcohol.
From the opening prayer, church leaders made it clear that every goal scored and every move made on the chess board was a deliberate stand for life and a rejection of destructive choices.
Mid North overseer Peter Magejo, serving as the guest of honour, framed the competition as both a spiritual and physical necessity. He urged the gathered participants to view the Bible as their "playbook for life," emphasising that the discipline required for sport naturally fortifies a young person against the temptations of addiction.
According to Magejo, when a young person is busy training and working as a team with a clear purpose, there is simply no time to waste their life on drugs.
He also encouraged the youths from the four districts to remain united, reminding them that they are one family in Christ and that such unity provides the strength needed to resist peer pressure.
This sentiment was echoed on the sidelines by Mid North youth leader Lovemore Banda, who described the tournament as "discipleship in action."
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Banda noted that idleness is often the primary door through which drug abuse enters a young person's life.
By keeping their hands busy on the field and their hearts engaged with the Word of God, the church aims to help them build a life that substance abuse cannot destroy.
The tournament was designed to be holistic, addressing addiction from multiple angles. While soccer and netball fostered teamwork, trust, and leadership, the inclusion of chess was a specific strike against the mental side of addiction.
Organisers noted that the focus and patience required for chess are the direct opposite of the "quick fix" promised by narcotics.
Between matches, youth leaders further reinforced these lessons through small group discussions centered on mental health and identity.
The impact of this approach was evident in the testimonials of the athletes themselves.
A soccer captain from Chegutu remarked that training for the cup gave him a tangible reason to say no to drugs, as he could not afford to mess up his body and let his team down.
Similarly, a netball player from Mhondoro expressed that the inclusive environment made her feel "seen and valued" rather than judged, a feeling she hoped to share with friends by bringing them to the event next year.
As the event concluded, Mid North YPU secretary Loubser Mazungunye and sports coordinator Godfrey Mutandiri expressed their satisfaction with the high turnout and the level of competition.
The momentum generated in Chegutu is now set to carry the provincial team forward to the inter-provincial tournament in Gokwe later this July. From there, the athletes have their sights set on the ultimate prize: the Presidential Cup, which will be held at the AFMinZ Conference Centre at Rufaro in Masvingo.
For these young competitors, the journey ahead represents more than just a quest for a trophy; it is a continued commitment to staying "busy with purpose."
