Kamiti shine as Prison World Cup kicks-off

Prisons World Cup tournament defending champions Kamiti Maximum Security Prison began their title defence on a high after edging out a hard-fighting Kamiti Medium Security Prison 3-0 in a nail-biting opening fixture staged yesterday in Kamiti.

Kamiti Maximum who came into the match as favourites netted their goals through Santos Okoth who dribbled past Medium defenders before unleashing an unstoppable thunderbolt past a hapless goalie before his partner in crime Brian Otieno scored the second goal.

Ibrahim Hassan’s third goal ensured the champions bagged the three points.

Prison teams drawn from Kamiti Maximum, Kamiti Medium, Kamiti Youth Correctional Centre, Jamhuri, Nairobi West, Nairobi West Medium, and Nairobi Remand as well as Naivasha will be hoping to be on their best footing to clinch the trophy.

The tournament which is in its second edition is courtesy of a partnership between Zebstrong Kenya, Kenya Prisons Service and the Kenya Premier League seeks to use football as a tool to rehabilitate the prisoners who mostly are serving life imprisonment.

Zebstrong Chief Executive Officer Bishop Joseph Kariuki noted that since football is the most popular sport in the world it will be easier to use it to give hope to the inmates while at the same time empowering them.

 “We are proud to be promoting the second edition of competition where we are able to address mental issues among the inmates as well as using football to rehabilitate and reintegrate them into society once they are out,” Kariuki said while he handed playing kits and balls to all the teams taking part in the contest.

On his part, Kenya Premier League Chief Executive Officer Jack Oguda stated that they are using the tournament to promote football in the prison sector.

“We came into this partnership to promote football in the prison sector since we noticed we have immense talent that can be tapped, nurtured and put into profitable use once the inmate is properly rehabilitated and let back into society,” said Oguda.

He added: “This kind of initiative will keep the prisoners occupied thus preventing them from engaging in more ill vices.

“We would like to thank the Kenya Prison Service for allowing us inside the prison for this noble course that will ensure we have rehabilitated and disciplined people once they rejoin our society.”