05 Aug 2024

Red Bulls Football Club in Tatisiding on Saturday, hosted a one-day Under 20 pre-season football tournament and Eleven Angels FC won by beating Ghetto Rhinos FC 4-3, after the two teams played to a one all draw, full time.

The tournament was aimed at sensitising residents on the dangers of drug abuse and other social ills. 

The tournament organiser and Red Bulls FC team manager, Modisa Sibitiela said in an interview that they had been troubled by the use of drugs amongst the youth adding that the tournament would help to address such. 

The participating teams were Red Bulls FC from Tatisiding, Eleven Angels FC from Francistown, Shashemooke FC from Shashemooke and Ghetto Rhinos also from Francistown.

“We are so delighted with how the tournament turned out. The four teams gave their all, and it was a joy to see such passion and skill on display,” said Sibitiela.  He said they look to the future to rotate the tournament between the teams, allowing them to sharpen their skills and test their mettle before the start of the season.

Before the tournament, Botswana Police Service and Childline Botswana sensitised players about the dangers of drug abuse and child abuse.

There were also officials from Childline Botswana who raised concerns over the escalating numbers of domestic violence cases perpetrated by males. 

Constable Mothusi Ngwako of Botswana Police Service, Northern Division, warned the players of the dangers of drugs and substance abuse. 

Displaying a variety of drugs at the playing field, Constable Ngwako said methcathinone, often referred to as CAT was common among users, followed by dagga. 

He said the drug was more popular among young people and had found its way into primary schools.

He warned that government had increased penalties on the use and possession of drugs. 

Humphrey Sedumedi from Childline Botswana informed the players that cases of domestic violence were increasing on daily basis in Botswana.

He said statistics indicated that the perpetrators of the offence were mostly males. 

Sedumedi said Childline Botswana was using all avenues available, including sport tournaments, to create awareness about the problem while Kgosi Simon Nkgageng of Tatisiding said he would hold a kgotla meeting on August 13 to discuss the issues of concern. 

Tatisiding recently experienced a traumatic incident in which three children were murdered by their father, something that left the community and the nation lost for words. ENDS