By SANDRA MWILA –

THE Churches Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ) yesterday donated assorted sports equipment worth K250, 000 to Mwembeshi Maximum Prison aimed at promoting good health among prisoners. CHAZ donated 110 football nets and footballs, 55 volleyball nets, 330 chess boards and mats, two table tennis, 110 standard nets and 110 volleyballs.
Executive director Rosemary Sichanga, in a speech read for her by CHAZ advocacy and public relations manager Yorom Siyame, said the donation was aimed at promoting good health in the prison service.
“We believe health is more than medication and health workers but needs to be pursued through active lifestyle such as sporting activities. We believe that these equipment will contribute to the creation of a positive environment in the physical, emotional and mental aspects of the lives of inmates and prison service officers,” Sichanga said.
She expressed hope that taking part in various sports activities will help the inmates keep busy by staying away from engaging in bad vices especially that an idle mind was the devils workshop.
Commissioner of Prisons Percy Chato, who received the sports equipment, expressed gratitude to CHAZ for their timely donation.
Chato assured CHAZ that their donation will facilitate for the 54 prisons that have a population of 18,300 prisoners.
Lusaka regional commander acting assistant commissioner Christopher Kajimbala pledged to guard the items jealously as the equipment will help promote good health especially that the prisons were prone to diseases.