Yoneco launches girls’ football tournament
As one way of combating HIV and AIDS among girls, Youth Net and Counselling (YONECO) has launched a girls football tournament at T/A Mposa in Machinga district which is believed to have the highest HIV prevalence rate than any other area in Malawi.
Media, networking and Advocacy Officer for YONECO, Charles Banda told Nyasa Times that ten teams from the area will take part in this two weeks tournament worthy K350, 000.
“We expect a number of girls from T/A Mposa to take part in this tournament there by keeping them busy rather than being busy indulging in sexual activities. Mposa is one of the areas in Malawi, where HIV prevalence rate is high among women, “said Banda.
He said that because of this development, YONECO discovered that many women indulge in immoral behaviours’ because they had nothing to keep them busy.
“During the tournament various activities and awareness raising will be held concerning the issues of HIV/AIDS, Gender Based Violence, Human Trafficking and Early Childhood Marriage. This will act as a platform where young girls will be expressing their views as far as HIV is concerned,” said Banda, who represented YONECO, during the launch function on Monday.
One of the girls, whose team will take part during the tournament, Grolia Mwapesa the event will be a useful tool to fight HIV and AIDS.
“Most girls in our area have nothing to do, especially after knocking off from school and as a result they spend much of their time indulging in immoral behaviour. But now with the coming in of this
tournament most of the girls will be busy with trainings and games,” said Grolia.
Before the launching ceremony, each participating team received 12 T –shirts and 1 football. Apart from the K350, 000 for the champions at the end of the tournament, the winning teams shall be given assorted presents by Friends of YONECO, who are from Canada.
