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What began as a modest idea became a powerful two-day movement for mental wellness in Usuma Ward. From July 11th to 12th, the Voice of Usuma Progressive Youth Forum (VUPYF) hosted its maiden 5-A-Side Football Tournament.
Themed “Play for Peace of Mind,” the founder, Eric Lawani, said the aim was simple but powerful: use football as a tool to promote mental wellness among men and young people.
These teams took to the pitch with determination, cheered on by crowds who came for the football but stayed for the message. Some teams arrived as close friends, others as total strangers. But by the end, everyone had played for something bigger than themselves.
The event wasn’t short on entertainment either. Between matches, the pitch came alive with hype music, laughter, and an unmistakable sense of community spirit. For many, this was the first time football and mental health had been spoken about in the same breath.
After the final whistle, players gathered for wellness talks. Volunteers checked in with participants one-on-one. Conversations flowed freely about stress, anxiety, and the unspoken battles many face daily. After two days of intense play, Zee’s Clothing Team emerged as champions, lifting the trophy to loud applause.
Their victory was celebrated not just as a sporting win, but as a symbol of the unity and resilience the tournament aimed to inspire.
“This was never just about scoring goals,” said founder Eric Lawani. “It was about creating a safe space where men can show strength by speaking up, not by staying silent. Society teaches men to ‘man up’ and keep things in, but that silence is breaking too many people, so we want to break that cycle.”
Founded with the mission of bridging the gap between citizens and government, the organization works to make sure the voices of Usuma’s youth are not only heard but acted upon. Their approach is far from the usual loud protests or armchair criticism, instead, they create platforms where dialogue, action, and partnership thrive.
“Fortunately, I am one of the pioneer founders of the Voice of Usuma movement, and we are targeted at bringing the people close to the government,” said the Forum’s Vice president, Daniel Ali. “If we look at Usuma Ward, there is a huge gap between the people and the government. We at the Voice of Usuma want to remedy that.”
“The group’s focus areas include youth empowerment, civic education, and community development. Over the past year, we have organized voter sensitization programs, youth town hall meetings, leadership boot camps, and environmental clean-ups. We’ve also launched the EDULIFT project, an initiative designed to support children’s education in underserved areas of Bwari,” Lawani explains.
“But what makes VUPYF unique is our ability to mix advocacy with creativity. We don’t just talk about change, we pass it, we dribble it, we score it,” Lawani concludes.
