Pollsmoor prison’s soccer league kicks off in style
PRISON soccer came of age at Pollsmoor yesterday when 12 teams of inmates kick-started the prison’s first official soccer league.
Yesterday, four teams in the Medium A Centre Soccer League competed in a lively soccer tournament watched by male and female prisoners, warders and Premier Soccer League (PSL) players.
The prisoners have always played soccer, but now it’s been turned into a league.
Xolisa Dlakana, the warder who initiated the league with the prison’s sports, recreation, arts and culture committee, said they decided in January to launch the 12-team league of 192 players.
“The plan is for them to play on Wednesdays and weekends in this league.
“Besides the offenders spending most of the time idle and not doing anything, I thought this league would be the tool to use for rehabilitation and recreation for the inmates,” Dlakana said.
Most of the prisoners attend school at the prison and Dlakana said playing a sport is helping them to concentrate at school.
“Our idea is to expand this project, especially with the schools, as we do have a partnership with some schools such as Grassdale High in Grassy Park,” Dlakana said.
An inmate in the tournament’s winning team, Justin Abrahams of Valhalla Park, said he had prepared himself well for the tournament.
PSL players Nathan Paulse, who plays for Ajax Cape Town, Bafana Bafana and Polokwane City’s Cole Alexander and Eleazar Rodgers, who plays for Platinum Stars, hosted a soccer clinic and life skills talks for the players.
Paulse said: “We came to inspire the inmates, show our support and that we care about them. I hopefully inspired them so that when they get out of here, they can do positive things for themselves and contribute towards society.”
Bruce Nadin, chaplain and life coach at Ajax Cape Town, said: “What these guys (in prison) lack is hope and inspiration, and by bringing the professional soccer players here we hope to communicate a sense of the hope and inspiration that will enable them to rebuild their lives by making positive choices.”
Alexander said: “It’s good for us to come here and encourage these guys. That’s what they need. I hope my visit will have a good impact on them.”
We came to inspire the inmates, show our support and that we care