The K3 million football and netball trophy which is sponsored by Youth Net and Counselling (YONECO) has reached the climax as the finalists are set to lock horns in a much anticipated event to be held on December 17 at Zomba Police College ground.

The final encounter of the tournament will showcase a battle between Police primary school and Litiko Football Club in the football category while Potola will face Police primary school in the netball category.

To sail through to the semi-final stages that took place on December 8, Police primary school saw off Pure Dreams FC in a 2-0 encounter while Litiko FC narrowly overcame Nmalaka FC by a goal to nil, in the boys’ category.

In other highly contested netball semi-finals, Potola humbled Bwaila by 7 baskets to 2 while Police ousted Thundu by 10 baskets to 8.

In his remarks, Community Mobilization Coordinator for YONECO, Jacob Nyirongo said the tournament has been a success as it has helped YONECO to reach out the youths through sports in sensitizing them about their health, rights and responsibilities.

“Apart from exposing talent from the youth we have also managed to enlighten them to observe their rights with responsibility, to take care of their bodies so that they can have a good health in order for them to make a productive society in future.

“We have also sensitized them on how they can fight and defend themselves from child abuse and Gender Based Violence through enlightening them about our helpline services that are free of charge,” said Nyirongo.

The chairperson of Malawi Schools Sports Association (MASSA) in Zomba city, Fatso Chanza commended YONECO for the tournament saying the initiative is helping the youth to refrain from bad practices.

“Since the inception of the trophy youths have been keeping themselves busy with sports activities instead of indulging themselves into bad practices such as sexual behaviors, drinking alcohol and smoking.

“We believe that if YONECO continues sponsoring the program Zomba will have a generation of good healthy and talented youths,” said Chanza.

YONECO is sponsoring the tournament with the aim of creating an environment where the youth are skilled, knowledgeable enough and able to make good and sound decisions as well as enabling them to achieve their goals in life through sports.