From the football field to healthier futures: How sport is changing lives in Qoaling
Promoting health outcomes through U-Report and sport
In November 2024, a dusty football field in Qoaling became more than just a place to play, it turned into a space where young people learned, connected, and took charge of their health.
With support from USAID and CANVAX, the Ministry of Health, the Lesotho Sport and Recreation Commission (LSRC), and UNICEF Lesotho hosted a community sports tournament under the theme “Health for All, Sports for All.” The event brought health services closer to the community, combining the excitement of sport with vital health information and services, including HIV testing, HPV and COVID-19 vaccinations, and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) education.
Among the participants was Captain Ndaba Monde, a 56-year-old retired officer of the Lesotho Defence Force. For the past three years, he has run a youth wellness club in Qoaling; an effort born out of a desire to protect young people from crime, drugs, and risky behaviours.
“I started this club to give young people a safe place to grow and learn,” Captain Monde explained. “Sport became the tool to bring them together,but it’s also where they learn how to make better choices for their future.
When the LSRC invited Captain Monde’s club to join the national tournament, it became a turning point. Between matches, health professionals held interactive sessions on HIV prevention, SRHR, and the importance of vaccines. On-site services made it easy for young people to get tested and vaccinated, no clinic visit required.
“The tournament created a safe space where young people could learn without fear or judgment,” Captain Monde shared. “Afterward, I noticed a real change. They started talking openly about their health, taking responsibility, and even sharing what they learned with their families.”
The tournament also introduced U-Report, UNICEF’s digital engagement platform that connects young people to life-saving information and amplifies their voices. Through U-Report, adolescents and youth can ask questions anonymously, access real-time health guidance, and participate in polls that influence decision-making.
For many in Qoaling, this combination of sport, health, and technology has been transformative.
“This initiative brought our community together,” Captain Monde said. “It showed us that sport can do more than entertain; it can educate, heal, and unite. But it can’t stop here. Our young people need this kind of support all year round.”
His call for sustained action is already resonating. Just recently, local police officers, alongside Footprints of Hope and UNICEF, visited his wellness club to engage with young people during the school holidays, proving that teamwork off the field can be just as powerful as the game itself.
