Sports to stop crime
Youth from Tantyi location launched their Drug Free programme on Thursday 8 October. Umuzi Okhanyayo, one of the organisers of the initiative, which aims to persuade the youth away from drugs, said they came up with the idea after observing the increase in crime in Grahamstown.
He said the recent crime reports scared the Tantyi youth and they felt that a sporting programme could bring the youth together and make a difference.
“We don’t just want to stay and watch, this is a programme that we think will make a difference in combating crime in the Grahamstown community.
“We want to expand the programme and go to schools where we will speak to pupils about the dangers of drugs,” said Okhanyayo.
One school has already made an agreement with Okh- anyayo and his team to come and speak to their pupils.
He said the youth were using drugs and ended up committing crime.
The sporting codes played on the launch day included soccer, netball and touch rugby. Okhanyayo said there are other events planned.
He said they have no sponsors and fund-raising. Okhanyayo said teams pay a small amount for participating.
Okhanyayo thanked the youth of Tantyi for coming out in numbers to show support for the initiative.