Malawi: The prisons in the Northern Region of Malawi organized a two-day sports tournament for their inhabitants. The Commissioner for Operations and Security Services in Malawi Prison Service, Aaron Kaunda reflected on the importance of these events.
The Commissioner made these remarks during the wrapping up of the tournament on Sunday. He highlighted that sport has transformative impact in uniting communities and supporting rehabilitation of offenders.
The Northern Region Prisons’ two-day sports tournament was hosted at Mzuzu Prison Ground. The tournament was kickstarted with a with big walk from Katoto Ground to Mzuzu Prison. The sports event was hosted under the theme Promoting Community Participation in the Reintegration of Offenders’.
The tournament included a variety of sports events, such as football, netball, volleyball and tag of war.
The tournament was hosted with the aim to promote good working relationship among prison officers, stakeholders and members of the general public. At the same time, the sports event was also an opportunity for the prisoners with opportunities to re-enter into society.
The sporting activities play a highly important role in maintaining officers physical and mental fitness. Sports also helps in ensuring the spiritual growth of their participants, as they learn several valuable lessons while playing.
Commissioner for Operations and Security Services thanked the Department of Prisons for the initiative. He highlighted the ongoing transition in the prison service from punitive to corrective service models, including restorative justice programs.
The tournament was supported by several offices in the country, including Malawi Police Service Savings and Credit Cooperative Organization, Centenary Bank, Pinnacle Financial Services, Mukuru, NBS Bank and NICO
Mukuru Regional supervisor for the north, Wanangwa Kazeze was also present at the venue to watch the tournament. He said that the company supported the tournament in line with the company’s motto of having no boarders.
They said that they serve the people of all walks of life.
Rumphi Prison emerged winners in Football while Mzimba Prison emerged champions in Volleyball as Mzuzu Prison were best performers in Netball and Tag of war.
Coach for Rumphi Prison Football Team, Kennedy Mphaninga was delighted with the victory. He gave the credit of this win to the discipline of the officers and collective work towards success.