Youth to compete in crime stop tournament
In efforts to reduce the shocking levels of youth crimes in their community, Joe Swaart and Gerian Ndepha, have organised a soccer tournament for the youth, themed "Stop Crime Tournament".
The event will be held at the Reiger Park Shopping Centre, every weekend from September 11 to 29.
Residents who want to participate in the six-a-side football tournament, can form their teams of 10 players, and register to compete during the tournament.
Registration fee is R700 per team, and the first prize for the winning team is R10 000 and second prize R3 000.
According to Swaart, the objective is to reduce youth crime in the area by providing a safe haven that keeps youth away from violence, provide an alternative to gangs and street life, allowing youth to develop new skills and interact positively with peers.
“Most of street level drug dealers, perpetrators of gang violence and substance abusers are young people in the area, and we have lost many lives because of the ongoing gang violence and drug abuse,” says Swaart.
He says they decided to reach out to the youth after they realised that young people who do not participate in any after school programmes are most likely to abuse drugs, commit crimes and skip classes at school.
