A padel tournament brought together players, businesses and supporters around a cause that reaches far beyond the court, raising awareness and support for children diagnosed with cancer in Eswatini.
The ‘Play for a Purpose’ Padel Tournament was held in support of the Eswatini Childhood Cancer Foundation (ECCF), an organisation working to improve awareness, access to care and support for children living with cancer and their families.
Lidwala Health joined hands with the ECCF through the tournament, supporting an initiative centred on children and families navigating the challenges of a cancer diagnosis.
For Lidwala Health, the partnership reflects an approach to healthcare that extends beyond medical cover and includes participation in initiatives that support the wellbeing of communities.
“For us, healthcare goes beyond providing medical cover. It’s about showing up, caring, and contributing to healthier, stronger communities,” the organisation said.
The tournament also provided an opportunity to draw attention to the work of the ECCF, which was officially established on February 12, 2026, during a launch at the Royal Villas in Ezulwini under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Inkhosikati Make LaNkambule.
The foundation was created to address gaps in childhood cancer care in Eswatini, with its work centred on awareness and early detection, access to quality care, and support for children and their families.
Since 2016, more than 400 children have been recorded in Eswatini’s National Cancer Registry, with an average of 41 new cases diagnosed annually.
Medical experts have indicated that the number could be higher, as some children, particularly those in rural areas, may remain undiagnosed due to limited awareness and access to specialised diagnostic services.
Early detection is therefore one of the foundation’s key areas of focus. The ECCF works to educate parents, teachers, communities and frontline healthcare workers about warning signs that may require medical attention, with the aim of encouraging earlier referral and treatment.
The foundation is also working with the Ministry of Health and the Baylor Foundation to strengthen clinical capacity and access to specialised diagnostics and oncology medicines for children.
Beyond treatment, the ECCF provides support that addresses some of the wider challenges faced by families. This includes physical, emotional, psychological and financial support from diagnosis through treatment and into survivorship.
The ‘Play for a Purpose’ tournament placed this work within a community setting, using sport to bring people together while creating awareness around childhood cancer.
For participating organisations such as Lidwala Health, the event offered an opportunity to contribute to a cause affecting children and their families, while reinforcing the role that businesses and community members can play in supporting healthcare initiatives.
Through partnerships and community activities such as the padel tournament, the ECCF continues to build awareness around childhood cancer and the need for children to receive timely diagnosis, appropriate treatment and support throughout their recovery.
