National Sports

Maula Prison inmates causing stir in CRVL

 

With authority from Malawi Prison Service (MPS), inmates at Maula Prison in Lilongwe have formed a volleyball team which will play in the Central Region Volleyball League (CRVL).

MPS has appointed warden MacDonald Kamwamba as coach for the inmates who are causing a stir in the league.

Being new entrants in the league, the team is playing in the B Division of the CRVL.

Maula Prison Inmates (in black) in action in the league
Maula Prison Inmates (in black) in action in the league

In an interview on the sidelines of CRVL games on Saturday at the Lilongwe Community ground, Kamwamba said the prisoners have a right to participate in national sports league.

“Inmates are people in reformation process and should not be denied opportunity to pursue their talents in sports. We discovered that these convicts are passionate about volleyball and their teams were doing well among fellow prisoners.  When they expressed interest to compete in the CRVL, authorities gave consent,” said Kamwamba.

On the possibility of the inmates escaping during games, Kamwamba played that down saying there is no way they can escape.

“There are two teams. As Maula Prison, we have our own team and as inmates they have their own team. They eat what we eat as we do not discriminate. There is trust among us because they know this as an opportunity for them to advance their talents and mix with the free world,” said Kamwamba.

Captain for Prisoners Block Joseph Mwangende said they want to play well in the B Division so as to be eligible for promotion to Division A next season.

“The season is just starting. We are training hard and we hope to get promotion next year.  We are grateful to MPS for giving us this opportunity to take part in a competitive national league. We promise to behave and also to deliver,” said Mwangende.

CRVL said they are more than happy to have an inmates team taking part in the league.

“It is an exciting development. The inmates have shown that they are really good at their game. They are treated like any other team.

“There is nothing like booing. As a matter of fact, they get more support than most teams,” said  CRVL publicity secretary Peter Pemba.

 

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