25 Aug 2025

In a bold and innovative move to tackle gender-based violence (GBV) and road accidents, Miami Stars Social Club recently hosted a football tournament under the theme “Kick Against GBV and Road Accidents.”

 The event, held at Maun Sports Complex, was not just a sports competition, but a community-centered platform to address pressing social issues.

Maun BDF Base commander, Major Elio Simon said that the mandate of the tournament was to create awareness around growing issues of GBV and road accidents in the Maun community. 

He noted that the football tournament, hosted by Miami Stars Social Club, strategically targeted men who are often the main perpetrators in both issues through a sport they are passionate about.

“Football is widely loved in Maun, especially by men, who statistically are the main perpetrators in both GBV and road accidents hence this initiative uses a platform that appeals directly to that demographic, making it a powerful tool for change,” he said. Major Simon noted that violence often stems from emotional suppression, and he encouraged individuals to practice patience in their daily interactions just as they do on the pitch.

“We must learn to cool down and think before we act because if people can control their tempers for 90 minutes in a football match, they can certainly do so in their homes,” he said. 

He also advised community members to speak up at the first signs of abuse, stressing that silence often leads to escalation. He urged individuals to seek help early, whether from the police, social workers, or NGOs that deal with GBV and emotional well-being.

“When people ignore red flags or keep quiet hoping things will change, it usually gets worse so we must normalize speaking out and seeking help before situations become dangerous or fatal,” he emphasized. Major Simon further encouraged both victims and bystanders to break the silence and intervene safely when they see signs of abuse in their homes or neighborhoods.

Adding a youth perspective was Mr Ngami 2024/25 also Mr Botswana 2025 finalist, Poloko Tamanisa who expressed concern over how cultural norms often neglected the emotional and psychological needs of boys.

 “As a society, we are doing well in protecting and empowering the girl child, but we’re failing to give the boy child equal support,” he said.

He stressed that emotional intelligence be taught from a young age to both boys and girls to prevent future violence and build balanced, empathetic adults. “Boys need safe spaces to express themselves and be vulnerable without being judged and if we can normalize conversations around emotions and trauma, we can drastically reduce violent behavior,” said Tamanisa.

 As the day ended, what lingered was not just the cheers from the games but powerful messages shared. Organisers were hopeful the event would mark the beginning of more consistent, grassroots-level activism through sports.

For her part, Maun resident Tshegofatso Molefi emphasised the need for healing through open communication, noting that many people in the community carried emotional wounds that manifested as anger, violence, or withdrawal. She said that true healing could begin when individuals feel safe enough to express their pain without fear of judgment. 

“We’ve normalised bottling things up and pretending to be okay, but that only makes things worse,” she said.

Molefi encouraged community dialogues, therapy, and peer support groups as important avenues for people to release emotional burdens and learning healthier coping mechanisms, stressing that healing was not a one-time event, but a continuous journey that begins with honest conversations. 

“GBV is a symptom of deeper emotional wounds that go unaddressed and the more we create platforms for dialogue, the more we’ll see people seeking help instead of resorting to violence,” she said.

Another resident, Mr Olebogeng Pono, highlighted the crucial role that mentors and coaches play in shaping the character and behaviour of young people, he said that many youths in the community lacked positive role models and often turn to wrong influences when navigating life’s challenges. “Mentors and coaches are more than just instructors, but are life guides and they teach discipline, responsibility, respect, and emotional control, all of which are essential values in preventing violent behaviour,” he said.

Mr Pono urged local leaders, teachers, and sports coaches to step up and take an active role in nurturing the next generation, adding that structured mentorship programs could bridge the gap left by absent parents or troubled homes, helping to build confident, well-rounded individuals who contributed positively to their communities. ENDS