Kenya Prisons is on a mission to revamp its sports department to match their Kenya Police Service and Kenya Defence Forces, which have many world-beaters in their stables.
To do this, Prisons Sports Department (Magereza) has brought on board 16 athletes. Among the 16 are steeplechaser Conseslus Kipruto (pictured), 800m runner Anthony Chemut, Evans Kiprorir and 2013 Houilles 10k winner Cornelius Kangogo.
Prisons sports department last week selected athletes to join their different divisions that include athletics (field and track), volleyball, weightlifting, power lifting, netball, boxing, judo, darts, karate, football, wrestling and body building at Nyayo Stadium and Nairobi West Prisons Grounds.
Prisons, known for its sport prowess, having been associated with big names such as former marathon greats Catherine Ndereba, Susan Chepkemei, Olympics 5,000m bronze medalist Thomas Longosiwa and 2012 World Half Marathon Gold medalist John Mwangangi, has not recruited since 2010 when Maureen Jelegat and Silas Kiplagat joined the discipline.
"Sports is a very important department in the Prisons Service, we seek to promote and develop talent in Kenya. Our volleyball teams are the top sides in Kenya. We have been a powerhouse in athletics, that's why we are injecting fresh blood in the department to continue with the sporting culture," said Deputy Commissioner of Kenya Prisons Benjamin Njoga.
"We had a very few slots, and the panel of selectors considered many aspects that included age, consistency and commitment of the individuals in sports to enable us to get the best," added Njoga.
He added that sports' being a short-time career, athletes need job security.
"Being in the service will be good when one retires from active athletics career," said Kangogo who will be eyeing a ticket at the Athletics Kenya national trials for the World Championships in Beijing in August.
Many athletes who were previously training and representing prisons in different championships and AK weekend meetings were all taken by Kenya Police Service. They include sprinters Fresha Mwangi, Veronica Mutua, 800m runner Sylvia Cherop, 1,500m runner Elijah Manangoi among others.
The Standard Group Plc is a
multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper
print operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The
Standard Group is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key
influence in matters of national and international interest.
join