Offenders to participate in Championships

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Pretoria – Six hundred inmates from various correctional centres countrywide are expected to participate in the 2014 Football, Rugby and Netball “World Cup” Championships.

The Correctional Services Department is to host the tournament at the Tshwane University of Technology main campus from Wednesday.

Offender football teams have adopted various popular international team names in a quest to create their own 2014 “Brazilian” mood, and moment, as some of them believe that they are world-class soccer players.

Teams that make it through the first day will compete in the finals, on Thursday, when the prize-giving ceremony will be held.

The event forms part of the special programmes that the department have in place not only for rehabilitation purposes, but also as a weapon to destroy crime, lawlessness and drug abuse.

Through such programmes, the department aims to encourage and motivate offenders to make good use of their time and talents, while incarcerated and to transform themselves into individuals who will make a positive contribution to society. – SAnews.gov.za