Online Reporter
Fairness Moyana in Hwange
BINGA Prison’s football team produced a dominant performance to clinch the 2026 Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) Matabeleland North Provincial Sports Gala soccer title, emerging worthy champions at the end of a two-day sporting extravaganza that celebrated teamwork, physical fitness and the fight against drug and substance abuse.
Binga defeated Nkayi Prison 3-0 in the final played at Hwange Prison, with the “Mulonga Boys” sealing victory through second-half dominance after taking a first-half lead.
The champions opened the scoring in the 32nd minute following sustained pressure on the Nkayi defence before doubling their advantage in the 61st minute when jersey number 11 calmly converted a well-worked pass. Binga put the contest beyond doubt in the 87th minute with a clinical one-on-one finish against the goalkeeper to complete a comprehensive victory.
The triumph marked a remarkable campaign for Binga, while defending champions Tsholotsho, who had represented Matabeleland North Headquarters after winning last year’s tournament, suffered a surprise exit in the preliminary stages.
Other sporting honours saw Anju Correctional Institution emerge champions in volleyball, while hosts Hwange Prison clinched the netball title.
Speaking during the closing and prize-giving ceremony, Officer Commanding Matabeleland North Province, Commissioner Nesisa Hlabano, said the tournament had achieved its objective of promoting unity, discipline and healthy living among correctional officers and inmates.
Held under the theme: “Stop Drug and Substance Abuse: Choose Sport, Choose Life”, the gala brought together teams from 10 correctional facilities across the province.
Comm Hlabano said the inclusion of inmates in the competition reflected the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service’s commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind.
“Sport is not a distraction from duty. Sport builds the very qualities we need in our line of work: discipline, teamwork, resilience and a healthy body to serve a healthy nation,” she said.
Comm Hlabano added that the tournament also reinforced the importance of choosing positive lifestyles over drug and substance abuse.
“By choosing sport, we are choosing life. We are choosing to stay away from drugs and substance abuse that destroy families, careers and communities,” she said.
Comm Hlabano congratulated all participating teams, saying every correctional facility had contributed to the success of the provincial competition regardless of the final standings.
“I now officially declare the ZPCS Matabeleland North Provincial Sports Gala 2026 closed,” she said before presenting medals and trophies to the winning teams.
The annual provincial sports gala is one of ZPCS’s flagship wellness programmes aimed at promoting physical fitness, teamwork, mental well-being and camaraderie among correctional officers while reinforcing national campaigns against drug and substance abuse.
