LIST OF TRACK AND FIELD GAMES THAT TOOK PLACE IN THE SUMMER GAMES
“RIAAA Summer Games 1972"
PRISONERS EXEMPLIFIED THE SPIRIT OF SPORT
Summer Games 1972
The Summer games of 1972 were hosted annually by the Robben Island Amateur Athletic Association (RIAAA). This event was testament of the enthusiastic nature of the prisoners. The document details the various sporting activities that took place.
This association was established by Tony Suze, Indres Naidoo and Sedick Isaacs. The Robben Island Athletic Association hosted the first Summer Games in 1972, which at the time was unnoticed to the rest of the world. Their main goal was to host an annual grand end of year event.
They wrote to the Commanding Officer asking for permission to allow them to host this event on the Island. Initially their request was declined, but after much persuasion they were given permission to use the prison’s sport equipment like shotput or discus.
Stephen Tshwete (the chairman) and Sedick Isaacs (the secretary at the time) had to make arduous negotiations with the head of the prison. These negotiations were made to allow them as the event organisers to provide prizes to the winning opponents of each event.
There was much debate regarding the prizes granted since a prisoner’s diet was restricted to certain foods. However, after numerous exhausting negotiations, they eventually obtained the necessary permission to buy the prizes and they were allocated as follows:
- First place – a packet of biscuits
- Second place – a packet of dried fruit
- Third place – some sweets
Although prizes were allocated for first, second and third place, all prizes were pooled together and divided equally amongst everyone at the end of the day.
The morale of prisoners was enhanced tremendously since they could actively participate in these sporting events. However, if prisoners behaved in a manner that wardens weren’t happy with, they would not be allowed to partake in any sporting activities. This would result in prisoners being wounded up in large solitary cells.
The Summer Games allowed for cohesion between prisoners and wardens. Wardens were constantly monitored to ensure that no relationships were formed with the prisoners. If this was the case, then they would be transferred to another part of the island or be taken away from the island.
The five rings were borrowed to adapt an “Olympic Spirit”. The Summer Games embodies the values of fair play, teamwork and is a living testament of the spirited nature of the prisoners on the island. These games also revealed the sporting excellence of prisoners.
The rings were also used this as a learning process for prisoners by orienteering and drawing the shape of the rings –this taught them how to use a compass tool found usually in a mathematical set.
2012 marked the 40th anniversary of the Summer Games held at Robben Island. The Summer Games embodies the values of fair play, teamwork and is a living testament of the spirited nature of the prisoners on the island.
The Summer Games of 1972 also reminds us of the extraordinary legacy that we as South Africans have. Despite any challenges faced we are able to rise, be resilient, and stand united in everything that we do.