Discovery Ambulance, Hoops 4 Hope Lead Drug Fight

By Abel Karowangoro

Discovery Ambulance Services (DAS), in partnership with Hoops 4 Hope Zimbabwe, will this Saturday, July 26, host the Communities Basketball Festival (CB-Fest) at the Dzivarasekwa Basketball Court. The event will run from 9:30 AM until late and is free and open to the public.

Held under the theme “Every Life Matters. Every Second Counts,” CB-Fest aims to promote healthy lifestyles, community resilience, and emergency preparedness while raising awareness about the dangers of drug and substance abuse, particularly among youth in high-density areas.

 Basketball, Life Skills, and Health Education Combine for Community Impact

The centerpiece of the festival is a community basketball tournament featuring local teams, a three-point shooting contest and a slam dunk competition. Through the power of sport, organisers hope to attract and engage young people while delivering critical messages around DASA prevention.

“We are not just providing emergency services, we are investing in prevention,” said David Munowenyu, CEO of Discovery Ambulance Services.

“CB-Fest is about empowering our youth through sports, health education, and skills that can save lives.”

Hoops 4 Hope Zimbabwe, a long-time advocate of youth development through sport, is a key partner in the event.

The organisation runs community basketball programs across Zimbabwe, combining sport with a life skills curriculum.

“As Hoops 4 Hope, we’re thrilled to partner with Discovery Ambulance Services for our upcoming Communities Basketball Festival,” said Faith Sekete, Marketing Manager for Hoops 4 Hope Zimbabwe.

“Together, we’re promoting a healthier lifestyle and spreading a powerful message: ‘Let’s Fight Drug and Substance Abuse.’

This partnership embodies our shared commitment to community well-being and sets a great example for young people to make positive choices.”

First Aid Training and Health Education on the Agenda

In addition to basketball, CB-Fest will feature free first aid training conducted by certified DAS professionals. Attendees of all ages will have the opportunity to learn:

• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
•  Emergency wound care
• Fracture and trauma management
• How to respond to drug overdoses and alcohol poisoning

“We want our communities to be health-conscious and emergency-ready. First aid is a skill everyone should have,” said Munowenyu.

Health booths, an ambulance open tour, substance abuse prevention talks, live music, refreshments, and giveaways will round out the day’s activities, making CB-Fest both educational and entertaining.

Building Resilience Through Community Engagement

CB-Fest is part of a broader community empowerment initiative designed to engage young people constructively and reduce exposure to harmful behaviours. For Hoops 4 Hope, it is a continuation of ongoing efforts to create safe, supportive spaces for youth.

“This festival is a follow-up to all the programs we’ve been implementing to keep young people meaningfully engaged,” added Sekete.

 “Every weekend, around 300 youth participate in our community basketball programs. Through these activities, they not only enjoy the game but also benefit from our life skills curriculum, which addresses critical issues like drug abuse, peer pressure, and tolerance.”

Since its inception, Hoops 4 Hope has reached over 100 primary and high schools and worked with nearly 30 associations across Zimbabwe, using basketball as a platform for personal and community development.

As Zimbabwe grapples with rising substance abuse—especially in urban and peri-urban areas like Dzivarasekwa—initiatives like CB-Fest are a timely response that blends sport, education, and healthcare into a powerful community-led strategy.

DAS and Hoops 4 Hope are encouraging schools, churches, sports clubs, and families to attend the event and take a stand against drug and substance abuse.

 “This isn’t just about basketball,” said Munowenyu.

“It’s about protecting our youth, strengthening our communities, and giving people the tools they need to save lives.”