By Kudakwashe Kutinyo
Football loving fans, analysist and the Bulawayo community have stressed their worries over the escalating numbers of underage children selling illicit drugs and alcohol inside the Barbourfields stadium.
Children believed to be roughly at primary school level are seen roaming across the stadium terraces carrying ciggerates and alcohol popularly known as "nchenku" in search of customers with prices ranging from us$1 to us$2.
Speaking during an interview, football analyst and administrator Praise Dumi Dlakama highlighted that the mother body needs to adopt to modernisation so as to curb the escalating criminal activities within the stadium.
"Push and pull factors are some of the reasons that have forced these innocent young children to embark on illegal activities.The PSL needs to strengthen its security system at every entrance and also introduce the _E-ticket_ like what other countries are doing, whereby you can buy your ticket online during the week and then scan at the entrance on the match day."
"These implementations can actually lessen the massive hive of criminal activities within the stadium during match days so basically it is very crucial for the PSL to adopt to new modern methods of digitalisation and remove the old traditional method of printing tickets which at the end of the day the same tickets will be scattered all over the stadium", said Mr Dlakama.
The young children are exposed to vulgar language, errotic scenes mostly witnessed during celebrations and fights that's contnously errupt.
Ms Gugulethu Muwodzi a counselling practitioner alluded that most of the activities are a result of peer pressure, family environment, traumatic experience and also economic hardships within the family.
"The family environment plays a crucial role in a child's development and decision-making. A dysfunctional family environment, such as parental substance abuse, neglect, or exposure to violence, can increase the risk of a child engaging in drug-related activities".
"Peer pressure can have a significant impact on a child's behavior and choices. If a child's social circle includes individuals involved in drug use or selling, they may be more likely to engage in similar activities. Economic hardships and limited opportunities for education or employment can push children towards illegal activities, including drug selling, as a means of survival".
"Children who have experienced trauma or adverse childhood experiences may be more vulnerable to engaging in risky behaviors, including drug selling, as a coping mechanism or to gain a sense of control", said Ms Muwodzi.
Meanwhile alcohol and ciggerates are branded _not for sale to children under the age of 18_ but inside the Barbourfields stadium young children are visibly seen roaming around selling.
It has been observed that two main methods are used to smuggle illegal drugs and alcohol into the stadium which include using a rope to pull a huge load up the terrace end from below this is repeatedly done at the Soweto end depending on the demand of the day.
The other method involves using the main entrances whereby the security will be relaxed and does not search young children who enter carrying small bags filled with alcohol, stashed with training kit such as socks, boots and soccer jersey to disguise the security thinking that the young boys are from developmental football teams seeking to watch their role models.
