Reward Academy sets out to tackle drug, substance ...

Reward Academy sets out to tackle drug, substance abuse

Zim Now Writer

What started as a mere attempt to lure youths into the country’s most popular sport – soccer – has transformed itself into a centre seeking to tackle drug and substance abuse among the young people of Chitungwiza.

Initially the brainchild of Nyasha “Nyale” Matanhire, Reward Academy has set its sights on not only grooming sporting talent, but also playing their role no matter how minute, in the fight against the scourge of drug and substance abuse.

“We teamed up with my colleagues here in order to proffer ways of occupying the idle youths. They can spent the day playing soccer for now and, funds permitting, we have plans to include other activities such as chess, netball and tennis among other sporting disciplines. This way, we can keep them away from drugs and substance abuse, a real menace in society today.

“The inspiration to establish this academy emerged from the fact that Chitungwiza produced several good players, the likes of Norman Mapeza, Alois Bunjira and Lloyd Mutasa, among others. If we look at the youngsters, we can develop them and they can end up as very good players.

“With this kind of thing, we can go very far in removing youths from drugs – both male and female players.

However, he added that the going is still tough owing to material challenges at the Academy.

“We are envisaging a situation where we will grow into one of the biggest academies in the country, if we get sponsorship. We would like a stable and permanent playing ground as well as other needs such as gym equipment, soccer balls, cones, bibs, soccer kits, flat ladders and rings among other requirements.

One of Matanhire’s partners at Reward Academy, Jimmy Tedza, played for Dynamos Juniors, Bindura United, Lulu Rovers and Tabex among other Division One sides in a career that was cut short following an accident.

Tedza, who holds Grassroots, Level One and Goalkeepers coaching certificates, currently coaching a development side, Under 11 at Reward Academy.

“I teamed up with Nyale after seeing his vision. I am responsible for the Under 11s and goalkeepers, developing the players,” said Coach Tedza.

Former Mighty Warriors player, Annie Konje, who is part of the Reward Academy technical team said she is responsible for the Under 13s, both boys and girls. I mainly deal with the girls. With boys, we have discovered that quite a number of them start drugs at a very early age. That is why we decided to bring them into sport.

“We are also trying to discourage early marriages in these girls through involvement in sport. We do not want the kids to be idle because that is when they engage in miscellaneous activities,” Konje told Zim Now.

Besides the Mighty Warriors, Konje played for teams in Chitungwiza, Dynamos Queens and Hollenburg. It was during her last days with the Mighty Warriors that Konje, who also ahd a stint with Harare City as goalkeepers' coach, started coaching courses such as the CAF C and Goalkeeping.

Among the objectives that Reward Academy is identifying and cultivating talent, play a part in creating a generation that is proud of being Zimbabwean and creating a drug-free country with reduced substance abuse, thus creating a healthy and clean environment for all citizens.

The Academy also strives to reduce crime by engaging youths in sporting activities awhile at the same time educating children on the benefits of sport.