WILLEMSTAD – Excitement, healthy competition, and camaraderie filled the Curaçao Detention and Correction Center (SDKK) during the finals of the PlayStation FIFA World Cup 2026 tournament, an event organized as part of the Blue Nation project aimed at strengthening community spirit through the excitement of the FIFA World Cup.
All 13 housing blocks within SDKK were given the opportunity to participate in the tournament, which took place on June 8, 9, and 10. Throughout the competition, inmates demonstrated discipline, dedication, and sportsmanship as they competed to determine the top representative from each block for the championship round.
The grand final was attended by Minister of Justice Shalten Hato, who emphasized the importance of recreational and educational activities in the rehabilitation and personal development of inmates. Addressing participants during the event, Hato congratulated them on the respectful and sportsmanlike manner in which they took part in the competition.
The minister noted that activities such as the tournament provide more than entertainment. According to him, they also help foster important values such as respect, teamwork, perseverance, and discipline, all of which are essential components of successful rehabilitation.
At the conclusion of the tournament, Block 3 emerged as champion, while Block 7 secured second place. Management of SDKK and the Ministry of Justice expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating that the event demonstrated how sports and recreational activities can serve as valuable tools for promoting positive interaction, mutual respect, and personal growth in a structured environment.
Officials said the success of the PlayStation FIFA World Cup 2026 tournament reinforces the importance of continuing to invest in programs that contribute to rehabilitation, social reintegration, and the overall well-being of inmates at the correctional facility.
