BY TICHAONA MATARUSE
Wildlife conservation organisations, Wild and Free Foundation (WWT) and Painted Dog Conservation (PDC) have partnered to sponsor a social soccer tournament aimed at protecting wildlife through sport and economic opportunities to reduce wildlife crimes.
Rhino Cup Championship League RCCL-Zim Iganyana Division features both senior and junior teams and its goal is to empower and uplift young people, creating an environment where endangered species like painted dogs and other wildlife can thrive.
The RCCL Zimbabwe – Iganyana Division supports 20 male and four female community-based teams from communities adjacent to Hwange National Park, directly impacting wildlife and people welfare in the area.
Teams are drawn from communities adjacent to the Hwange National Park such as Chezhou, Dete, Dingani, Mabale and Makwandara among others.
They have been christened with wildlife names as a sign of appreciation of the importance of wildlife and conservation.
The juniors’ league was introduced in August and teams include Sables Jnrs, Eagle Jnrs, Shumba stars Jnrs, Sparrows, Honey Badgers, Rock Rabbits, Young Sables Academy, Zebras and Wild Warthogs.
Zebras from Chezhou were crowned 2022 after outclassing Mpalanyana 5-1 in the final match to finish the season with 93 points from 38 matches.
In the juniors league, Shumba and Young Stables Academy are favourites to win the title as both are tied on 16 points.
The league ends this weekend.
Zim Iganyana Division chief executive Ndodana Masuku implored clubs to invest in junior policy to nurture talent.
“We have 20 teams in the senior category and our wish is for each team to have juniors within its structures. Every organisation should have a foundation and in this case juniors are a foundation of the club,” Masuku told VicFallsLive
The league has attracted the attention of the private sector with Sports Zone Pvt Ltd, a Bulawayo based organisation sponsoring the juniors’ league with prizes for the monthly top goal-scorer, goalkeeper of the month award and junior coach of the month accolades.
“We have awards for top goal scorer and goalkeeper of the year courtesy of Sports Zone. Also there are medals and cups for the championship. ” said Masuku.
Meanwhile, Masuku urged communities to play a part in wildlife conservation and serve endangered species.
His sentiments come in the wake of concerns about an increase in illegal hunting in communities near Hwange National Park.
“Together we can give poaching a red card and create an environment where the rhinos, painted dogs and the rest of the wildlife can thrive.
“To the clubs and our communities, I urge you to reciprocate our wildlife sponsored league by doing more conservation activities within your communities to serve our wildlife especially the endangered species,” said Masuku.
RCCL also has presence in Mozambique, Namibia and Tanzania with positive results such as reduced rhino poaching, boredom, idleness, and poverty.