Why: The goal of the event is to commemorate the AU Day of African Sport. This day recognises the role that African sport plays in communities and in people’s lives. Sport can cross boundaries, defy stereotypes and inspire hope across nations. The event will bring together adolescents and young people to celebrate the day as well as demonstrate through football activity, the importance of sport/physical activity in their lives. The event will bring together boys and girls to compete in a 7-aside football tournament.
During the tournament, all the COVID-19 guidelines as prescribed by the Government of the Republic of Zambia, through the Ministry of Health will be adhered to.
Objective: This type of community tournament and health event utilizes soccer as a platform to:
- Provide linkage to services and mobilize communities and key stakeholders to challenge social norms that traditionally exclude adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) from sport;
- Mobilise communities around Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and to provide key services (HIV Testing and STI screening, etc.) in non-clinical settings, such as high-volume soccer tournaments that double as community health events.
- These unique events are used to sensitize community members on SRHR and facilitate access to services in non-traditional, community-based settings, reaching individuals that may not typically seek care at health facilities.
