About 300 offenders gathered at the Medium A sport grounds of the Thohoyandou Correctional Centre last Thursday for a soccer tournament, which was hosted as part of rehabilitation therapy.
The prisoners who participated were from Makhado Correctional Centre, Thohoyandou Medium A and B sections, and the female and juvenile sections of the Thohoyandou Correctional Centre.
"The soccer tournament was aimed to promote offender rehabilitation through sports," said the head of education, Mr Sikheto Rikhotso. In the final, Makhado Correctional Centre lost 0-1 against Thohoyandou Medium A.
The correctional manager for health services, Leah Thangavhuelelo, said that the tournament was also aimed at promoting awarenessof the dangers of TB and HIV/Aids. The tournament was sponsored by the Aurum Institute, a health-awareness organisation, who presented a floating trophy, 25 gold medals, 25 silver medals and 12 soccer balls.
The representative of the Aurum Institute, Mr Orizyn Baloyi, stated that they wanted to show the offenders that they cared for them and to spread the message that says: "We can kick TB".
The captain of the Makhado Correctional Centre 's team, Emmanuel Mathobo, said that his team regretted having lost in the tournament. "I feel much pain about losing this tournament. I can say it's only a game. There needs to be a winner and a loser at the end of the day," he said.