And Ahmadiyya took their basketball league and brought something similar to the Belize Central Prison. Their collaboration with the Kolbe Foundation began late last year, when they renovated the basketball court. And just like that, over 100 inmates participated in a tournament which saw its championship game this afternoon.
According to Kolbe's CEO, the league was the first of its kind in over two decades.
Rodvern Lino, Commissioner, Ahmadiyya Basketball league
"Since October 1st, we're in the prison, we've built a really good working relationship with the CEO, Mr Murillo at the Belize Central Prison so we wanted to find a way how we could impact the prison, we have changed the backboard and the rims at their court and we wanted to continue the work in the prison by offering the basketball league there. So since October the 1st we have been there and it has been one hell of a season inside the prison. The behavior of the prisoners taking part had to be very excellent and we have received feedback that these guys are really not giving any type of problem for any reason for them not to play in the league. They always look forward for us to come and you hear them as we enter the prison gate, that they're excited to be a part of it."
And coming out on top was the Tango 4 Blue Flames. The team's captain, Dwayne Davis, who's been in the prison for the last decade, explained to us why he thinks programs like the basketball league are important in the prison.
8 teams in all competed in the tournament.
