The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), in partnership with the Legend Golden Care Foundation (LGCF), has concluded the fifth edition of the Hope for Freedom Tournament at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje, Abuja, with Team Real Madrid emerging champions. The 2026 tournament, tagged “Legend Golden Care 5.0”, commenced on August 20, featuring four teams – Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Real Madrid – in a competition designed to support the reformation and rehabilitation of inmates through sports.
Minister of Interior Highlights Sports as Key to Rehabilitation
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, represented by his Special Adviser on Correctional Reforms, Babatunde Ogundare, described the tournament as more than a football competition. He said sports had become an important component of the Nigerian Correctional Service’s reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration programme. Tunji-Ojo commended the Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, for sustaining partnerships with non-governmental organisations to strengthen rehabilitation efforts in custodial centres.
He said sports could help reduce depression and psychological stress while promoting physical and mental well-being among inmates. The Minister said his administration was transforming the NCoS from a punitive institution into a corrections-focused service through interventions in vocational training, education, sports and the deployment of the new Correctional Information Management System.
Controller-General Urges Support for Inmate Reform
The Controller-General of Corrections, represented by the Deputy Controller-General overseeing the Directorate of Inmates Training and Productivity, DCG NO Obiako, thanked the minister for his commitment to reforming the Service. Nwakuche also commended the Legend Golden Care Foundation for sustaining the tournament, noting that sports remained a powerful tool for physical fitness, teamwork, mental well-being and the rehabilitation of inmates.
He said, “This competition aligns with our mandate of not just keeping safe custody, but reforming and reintegrating those in our care to become better citizens. Sport remains an integral part of inmates’ physical reformation therapy.” The CG called on non-governmental organisations, corporate bodies, faith-based organisations and other well-meaning Nigerians to support correctional institutions in their efforts to reform and reintegrate offenders.
Foundation Commits to Sustained Psychosocial Support
Earlier, the Executive Director of Legend Golden Care Foundation, Kanayo Olisa-Metuh, commended the management of the Kuje custodial centre and the participating inmates for their sportsmanship. Olisa-Metuh said the tournament was not a one-off initiative, noting that the foundation had sustained the programme for five years as part of its commitment to using sports to provide psychosocial support and promote positive transformation among inmates.
The event ended with the presentation of medals and the championship trophy to the winners by the representative of the Minister of Interior.
