It’s Game On: Teulings is back!

After months of not being on the playing fields, young athletes below the age of 20 years on Tuesday, 8 September, 2020 thronged the OYDC Zambia – Sports Development Centre to participate in the Teulings Youth Sports Challenge.The Teulings Youth Sports Challenge engages young talented athletes in beach volleyball, netball, taekwondo, hockey and swimming.The games which were suspended on 17 March, 2020 due to the outbreak of the Covid-19, resumed with activities in netball, hockey and beach volleyball. The OYDC Zambia, was recently cleared to resume all sport and non activities by the local authorities.OYDC Zambia, Chief Executive Officer Dr. Fredrick Chitangala, disclosed that all health measures have been put in place to make sure that athletes are not at any risk of catching the corona virus. He says all games will be played without spectators adding that all those who will be playing under the Teulings Youth Sport Challenge will be given face masks and hand sanitizers to protect themselves when not in the field of play.He further disclosed that every athlete will have their temperatures checked at the main gate before being allowed access to the facility and that those who will not be playing will be required to wear face masks while maintaining social distancing.Over 300 athletes from netball, hockey and beach volleyball took part in the games at different times and these athletes were drawn from community teams, schools and clubs. Before commencement of games athletes had an educative session conducted by the Zambia Police Service under the Child Protection Unit (CPU) where athletes were taught about dangers of drug abuse, early pregnancies, and doping in sport. The Teulings project has positively helped change people’s lives and hugely contributed to the formation of youth leagues that have given alot of youth the opportunity to participate in well organised and competitive sport both local and international.Meanwhile, athletes had the opportunity to attend a ‘One on One’ session supported by PEPFAR where HIV related topics were being taught to them. OYDC Zambia, partnered with PEPFAR to use sport as a tool to deliver HIV prevention messages not only to athletes but also to community members.