Free State police are trying to lure street children in Thabong from a life of crime by enrolling them in a boxing club.

Free State police are trying to lure street children in Thabong from a life of crime by enrolling them in a boxing club.

Spokesman Sergeant Malebo Khosana said the boys were enrolled at the Eyona Boxing Club to get them off the streets, where they could easily become involved in crime.

"The boys, who are members of this club, are budding boxers of the future from the age of eight years."

The youngsters were training in a dilapidated hall with no window panes, bare cement floors and no decent equipment apart from a punching bag hanging from the roof trusses, said Constable Mpho Mariha.

"Despite that, the boys participated in a boxing tournament in Bethlehem last month where one of them brought home a trophy and a certificate, and others some medals."

Appeals were made to business people in the area to help the club buy necessities, since all the boys came from disadvantaged backgrounds, said Mariha. - Sapa