The Controller of Corrections in Enugu State, Mr Nicholas Obiako says the Nigerian Correctional Service, NCoS, focuses on sports as a way of checking vices among inmates.
It also promotes reformation and happiness in the centres, he said.
Obiako said this on Wednesday at the finals of the month-long Chief Emeka Okoye Football Competition, held at the Enugu Maximum Custodial Centre in Enugu State.
He said that the sports reformation and rehabilitation marshaled out by the Controller-General of NCoS, Mr Haliru Nababa, was yielding great impact in keeping the inmates away from vices and trying to escape from the custodial centres.
According to him, football competition is one of the recreational activities put together by the NCoS Command to see that the inmates work together and vent their anger and energy towards the positive pursuit of becoming champions.
“This yearly activity (football competition) makes them feel happy, make friends within a month or two as well as make them think less of planning evil.
“We also have plans to stage competitions in other sports such as table tennis, badminton, volleyball, Ludo and Chess, which will help inmates that have passion and talents for them to develop further.
“The constant engagement in these sporting activities and games will help their proficiency in them and prepare them to take up these sports as a career when they finish their service here,” he said.
