Witbank correctional services takes AC Cup tourney

Witbank Correctional Centre defended their championship title for the third time and defeated Belfast Correctional Centre 3-0 at the annual Area Commissioner’s (AC) Cup tournament.

They received a full soccer kit from Capitec Bank, plus gold medals and a trophy from Toyota Car dealers.

During the prize-giving, one Belfast inmate was named the best goalkeeper of the tournament while a Witbank inmate scooped prizes for the top goal scorer as well as man of the match. Belfast and Carolina received silver and bronze medals as second and third runners-up.

The first game was played between Witbank and the Carolina Centre team. Witbank won 3-1.

Belfast beat Middelburg 4-1 on penalties.

Sponsors expressed their hopes of seeing this event develop into a bigger tournament, to include other sporting codes.

The annual AC Cup for offenders has taken place for three years. “The area commissioner has championed the usage of sport as an important vehicle in the rehabilitation of offenders. It is the brainchild of Mandla Sibanyoni upon appointment as area commissioner of the Witbank management area,” said Mr Moses Nkabinde, departmental spokesman. “It also plays a role in identifying talent for nurturing purposes, for when they leave our centre,” he said.

Sibanyoni assured stakeholders and attendees that this sporting code would improve every year, starting next year with the games at Belfast.

“I humbly thank all internal and external stakeholders for their participation in this activity which serves as a rehabilitation strategy and also a humble request for communities to give offenders a second chance,” he said.