A total of approximately 49 teams including players from the Bordelais Correctional Facility (BCF) and the wider communities are down to participate in the inaugural BCF Safe Spaces Futsal Tournament.
According to the organisers, the venture was initiated to help foster inmate rehabilitation and community peace building.
The futsal tournament is jointly organized by the BCF, social action group Citizens for Peace and Prosperity (CPP), RISE St. Lucia Inc. and the Saint Lucia Football Association (SLFA). It falls under the CPP’s Six Bridges to Peace and Prosperity, which seeks to utilize sports as a catalyst for peace building and personal and community development.
The Tournament kicks off tomorrow, Sunday March, 19 at the Richfond Playing Field, Dennery.
The tournament will include a male and female division and a total of forty-nine teams: sixteen from the BCF and thirty-three from communities island-wide. Matches will be held every Sunday at the Richfond Playing Field from 9.00a.m to 2.00pm.
The competition is due to conclude on Sunday 15th October with the finalists in each division competing for EC$ 5,000. Second and third place teams will receive EC$ 3,000 and EC$ 2,000 respectively.
Sponsors include the National Lotteries Authority, the Saint Lucia Hospitality and Tourism Association’s Tourism Enhancement Fund, SLFA, Bank of Saint Lucia and Harris Paints.
Organizers are confident that the anti-crime and violence initiative will create a positive atmosphere at the BCF and in communities, and also help inmates reintegrate into society.
Community based teams (Female): Boulevard, Dennery, Conway, Trois Piton, Gros Islet, Marchand, Anse la Raye.
Community based teams (Male): Boulevard, CDC, Conway, Trois Piton, Marchand, Agard, New Village, Grass Street, Wilton’s Yard, La Pansee, Rose Hill, Leslie Land, Dennery, Cedars, Lastic Hill, Bois Patat, Morne Du Don, Pavee, Fire Service, Ciceron, La Clery, Anse la Raye, Coolie Town, Soufriere, Vieux Fort, and Back on Track.