LICO Hosts Youth Sports Bonanza to Promote Holistic Development and SRHR Awareness

Rumphi Stadium

Across Rumphi District, many young people face limited access to safe spaces that support their physical well-being, personal development, and access to accurate sexual and reproductive health information. High levels of youth unemployment, limited recreational opportunities, and persistent challenges such as unplanned teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections continue to affect young people’s health and future prospects. Without positive engagement platforms, many adolescents remain excluded from information and services that could help them make informed life choices.

Recognising the power of sports as a tool for positive youth engagement, LLICO supported a sports bonanza at Rumphi Stadium, bringing together four netball teams and four football teams from Rumphi urban. The event, attended by representatives from the Norwegian International Development (NIF), created a vibrant and inclusive space where young people could come together, compete, and connect in a positive environment.

Beyond physical activity and competition, the sports bonanza was intentionally designed as an entry point for youth development and health promotion. Sports provide a holistic platform that nurtures physical fitness, mental well-being, teamwork, discipline, leadership, and resilience, skills that are essential for young people to thrive both on and off the field.

Importantly, the event also linked sports participation with Sexual and Reproductive Health awareness and services. By integrating SRHR engagement into the sports activities, LICO was able to reach young people in a setting where they felt comfortable, respected, and open to dialogue. Participants accessed information on SRHR, prevention of sexually transmitted infections, and unplanned teenage pregnancies, while being encouraged to seek services and make informed decisions about their health.

This integrated approach helped break down stigma associated with SRH discussions and services, especially among young men and boys who are often harder to reach through conventional health outreach. Through peer interaction and trusted facilitation, young people were empowered with knowledge and connected to support systems that promote healthier behaviours.

The success of the sports bonanza demonstrated the effectiveness of combining recreation with health and social interventions. By meeting young people where they are and using sports as a unifying platform, LICO is contributing to the development of healthier, informed, and empowered youth in Rumphi District.

As LICO continues to implement youth-centred programs under its Strategic Plan 2026–2030, initiatives that integrate sports, health, and life skills will remain central to building resilient young people capable of shaping their own futures.