Special sports event organised for youngsters in Kajang prison

From The Star, Mon 29 Mar 2010

JUVENILE inmates from the Kajang Prison were given a rare opportunity during the inaugural sports event held at the prison grounds recently.
Some 300 inmates aged between 14 and 18 took part in the one-day event.
The inmates, who were divided into five groups, took part in several sporting events including athletics, football and tug-of-war.

Great time: Alzafry (left) and Suvaminathan (wearing tie) helping to start the tug-ofwar.

The event was launched by Selangor Visiting Prison Board chairman Judge Datuk Seri V. S. Suvaminathan, who also donated a challenge trophy called the Piala Datuk Suvaminathan.
Prison director Alzafry Mohamed Al Nassir Mohamed Adnan and deputy director Asst Comm G. Gunasegaran were also present at the event.
Suvaminathan said the event would be held annually.
He said there was a possibility for other prisons in the country to introduce such activities for juvenile detainees.
“We have to organise this sort of activity to give the young detainees confidence that there is meaning in life.
“They must be made to understand that there is future for them once they are released,” he said.
Suvaminathan said the inmates showed a great deal of sportsmanship throughout the event.
Besides the challenge trophy, individual winners were also presented with snack hampers.