Shot in the arm for rural clubs

Yashe Hloka

HWANGE-20 football clubs in Dete, Hwange received a big boost after an international conservation organization donated an assortment of equipment as part of efforts to promote conservation through sport.

The clubs which fall under the Painted Dog Conservation (PDC) sponsored Inganyani Football League received equipment that included kits, nets, balls and training gear amongst other things from Wild and Free Foundation.  

The organization which established its Zimbabwean leg of the Rhino Cup Championship League(RCCL) in 2021 through its ‘Giving poaching a red card’ campaign will see the sponsorship of the rural teams. 

Speaking during the handover ceremony of the sporting equipment, Wild and Free Foundation Zimbabwe representative, Kathrin Ehrke said the sponsorship was meant to combat poaching and crime through programs that uplifted communities. 

“It was proven that this league had led to the reduction in poaching, domestic violence and school dropouts. We thought we could expand the concept to other countries. Last year we teamed up with Save the Rhino Trust in Namibia and here with PDC where we established the Rhino Cup Championship League in 2021. However, due to Covid 19 we couldn’t start. The RCCL is about saving wildlife by uplifting communities surrounding the national parks. This is about creating a healthy environment for humans and wildlife. It’s also a platform for cultural exchange and information,” said Ehrke.

The donation comprises 20 men’s and women’s kits, nets, 400 balls and referees’ equipment among other items.  

Erke said her organisation had decided to support communities in wildlife zones after successfully running it in Mozambique and Namibia. She said the targeting of rural communities and women was deliberate, arguing that they were often overlooked in favour of urbanites. 

“We targeted rural communities because they are overlooked often times as most sponsored teams are in the city or urban areas. These are rural teams where there is human-wildlife conflict and poaching is taking place so the League is meant to reduce this. We are going to focus on women and girls to achieve gender equality in this league as well, so in total we will have the same number of teams as men. For me it’s very important that women empowerment is part of this league.”

RCCL Zimbabwe- Inganyana Division Chief Executive Officer, Ndodana Masuku said the donation was a welcome development that would empower rural soccer teams.

“All our 20 teams are now well equipped with resources. The sponsorship entails transport for away teams, paying of the three officiating referees, capacity building for coaches and administrators so that they can professionally conduct the game. 

We also have the girls’ soccer side where we have 6 teams but we are working towards incorporating some from as far as Lupane who have been constrained by resources. Going forward we aim to have about 10 girls or women soccer teams while from the men’s or boys’’ side we intend to come up with a select team that will compete at regional level with other teams under the RCCL. The main task is to participate in conservation activities that in turn plough back in form of tourism,” he said. 

Masuku said they had embarked on a juniors mentorship program with 8 teams having shown interest to participate as part of ensuring there is a foundation for the continuity. 

RCCL has a presence in Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe with the goal to run the most professional rural soccer league in Southern Africa.