Inaugural ball games sets stage for Prisons football revival

Kenya Prisons Service Commissioner General Patrick Aranduh (L) gives  atrophy to Dickson Kimanzi, captain of the Eastern region football team/ HANDOUT

Kenya Prisons Service Deputy Commissioner General Nicholas Maswai has described the inaugural Commissioner General of Prisons Ball Games as a timely initiative to identify fresh talent as the service looks to revive its football team.

Held at the Ulinzi Sports Complex from March 30–31, the two-day championships marked a new chapter in the department’s sporting calendar, bringing together competitions in football, volleyball, and netball for both men and women. All 10 KPS regions—Central, Eastern, Coast, North Eastern, Western, Nyanza, Rift Valley, Nairobi, PSTC, and PHQ—participated in the event.

Long regarded as a powerhouse in volleyball, athletics, and netball, the Prisons Service is now widening its talent search.

Maswai noted that while the department has traditionally excelled in track and field and volleyball, the new tournament provides a platform to identify players who can strengthen the Prisons football team, popularly known as the Green Berets.

He emphasised that the games were designed not just for competition, but to give officers who are passionate about ball games an opportunity to showcase their abilities.

At the same time, the championships also served as a pathway for identifying talent that could potentially boost national teams. The event further doubled as a showcase for newly recruited officers, with about 50 new staff members getting the chance to display their sporting abilities.

Beyond performance, Maswai highlighted the importance of sports in promoting mental wellness among officers, noting that those involved in rehabilitation work must maintain good physical and mental health.

He encouraged stations across the country to organise regular sports days to keep staff active and engaged. Looking ahead, he revealed plans to expand the programme to include martial arts, subject to approval from the Commissioner General, in a move aimed at broadening opportunities for talent development within the service.

On the field, Nairobi dominated the women’s football final with a commanding 4-0 win over Central to claim the title. The men’s final was more closely contested, with Eastern edging PHQ 7-6 on penalties after a goalless draw in regulation time.

Eastern captain Dickson Kimanzi attributed their victory to strong team unity, describing the tournament as a tough but rewarding journey. In volleyball, PHQ secured the women’s title after beating PSTC 3-1, while netball saw PSTC triumph over North Eastern in the women’s category.

North Eastern bounced back to win the men’s netball final, narrowly defeating PSTC 15-13. With strong participation, emerging talent, and expansion plans, the inaugural games have laid a solid foundation for the Kenya Prisons Service to strengthen its sporting footprint while supporting both performance and well-being among its officers.