ZPCS venture into rowing

Sports Reporter

The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) is considering encouraging its officers and even inmates to compete in a proposed annual rowing competition.

Yesterday, it piloted the idea, albeit with only prison officers competing in what will be dubbed The Commissioner-General’s Rowing, which was held at Chikurubi Dam View.

“This (race) is still in its infancy, and we are starting something as we prepare for the SADC games with other correctional services around the country,” said ZPCS Deputy Commissioner-General Shepherd Mpofu.

“We expect that by next year, we will be competing with other countries.

“Here in Zimbabwe, we are going to make sure that even inmates participate, as it helps in their rehabilitation since this is our main aim.

“Sporting activities are one of the best rehabilitation activities, as long as other countries agree on the participation of both officers and inmates.”

Eight teams — Chikurubi Farm Prison; Harare Metro Province; Chikurubi Maximum; Dogs; Headquarters; Harare Central; Harare Remand; and Kentucky Prison — participated in both the men’s and women’s categories at yesterday’s event.

Chikurubi Farm Prison took the honours in the men’s category, with Harare Metro province and Chikurubi Maximum Prison finishing second and third, respectively.

In the women’s race, Chikurubi Farm Prison again finished in pole position, while Headquarters and Dogs were second and third, in that order.