Discovery Ambulance Services (DAS), in collaboration with Hoops 4 Hope Zimbabwe, is set to host the Communities Basketball Festival (CB-Fest) on Saturday, July 26, at the Dzivarasekwa Basketball Court. The event kicks off at 9:30 AM and will run into the evening. Entry is free, and everyone is welcome.
Running under the theme “Every Life Matters. Every Second Counts,” CB-Fest is designed to promote health, youth empowerment, and emergency preparedness while highlighting the risks of drug and substance abuse—especially among youth in densely populated areas.
Blending Basketball, Health, and Life Skills
The festival will include a community basketball tournament featuring local teams, a slam dunk contest, and a three-point shooting competition. Organizers aim to use sport as a vehicle to connect with young people and share vital messages about drug abuse prevention and healthy living.
“We’re not just here to provide emergency care; we’re here to prevent emergencies before they happen,” said David Munowenyu, CEO of DAS. “CB-Fest is about equipping young people with knowledge, health skills, and positive alternatives.”
Partnering with DAS is Hoops 4 Hope Zimbabwe, a well-known youth empowerment organization that combines basketball with life skills education. The group has a long track record of running community programs aimed at keeping young people active, engaged, and informed.
“We’re excited to join hands with Discovery Ambulance Services for CB-Fest,” said Faith Sekete, Marketing Manager for Hoops 4 Hope. “This partnership is a powerful way to encourage healthy lifestyles and combat drug abuse.”
Free First Aid Training and Health Education
Alongside the basketball activities, DAS will be offering free first aid training conducted by certified professionals. Participants will learn essential life-saving skills, including:
- CPR techniques
- Wound care basics
- Handling fractures and trauma
How to respond to overdoses and alcohol-related emergencies
“Everyone should know basic first aid—it saves lives,” said Munowenyu. “We want to build a community that is aware, prepared, and ready to act.”
The festival will also feature health education booths, live music, giveaways, food stalls, a walk-through ambulance experience, and awareness talks—all aiming to blend learning with fun.
A Community-Based Response to Drug Abuse
CB-Fest is part of a wider initiative to build safer, more informed communities by using sport and education as tools for change. For Hoops 4 Hope, it’s a continuation of their weekly programs, which currently involve over 300 youth across Zimbabwe.
“This event supports everything we’ve been doing to positively engage young people,” added Sekete. “Through sport, we’re tackling serious issues like peer pressure and drug addiction in a relatable and practical way.”
Hoops 4 Hope has worked with nearly 30 organizations and reached over 100 schools nationwide, using basketball as a platform to teach values, discipline, and resilience.
As the threat of substance abuse rises in urban centres like Dzivarasekwa, events like CB-Fest offer a timely and community-driven solution.
DAS and Hoops 4 Hope are calling on families, schools, churches, and sports clubs to come out in support of the event and join hands in the fight against drug abuse.
“This goes beyond basketball,” said Munowenyu. “It’s about protecting the future of our young people and giving communities the tools they need to thrive and survive,” he said.
