Netball Mashinani Tujengane Initiative founder Patricia Melissa has urged the government to recognise the talents of inmates in prisons across the country.
Melissa, a netball enthusiast and President of the Netball Mashinani Trans Nzoia chapter, said prisons hold highly talented and reformed individuals whose potential remains untapped.
Speaking in an interview with News9.africa at Lesson Primary School, she noted that the initiative has held four successful tournaments, including one featuring a team formed during a charity event at Kitale Women’s Prison.
“Netball Mashinani Tujengane Initiative is beyond netball. It is a platform that offers our community hope and a safe space to open up. We have had tournaments in prisons, and there is so much untapped talent behind cell doors that needs recognition. Like other offenders, these people need a second chance in life to help build the country’s sporting sector,” Melissa said.
The president appealed to the government to pardon reformed inmates ready to reintegrate into the community, noting they could contribute to society, including joining clubs like the Kenya Prisons Women Netball Team.
According to Melissa, inmates are trained in various skills, including carpentry, weaving, and artwork, to empower them after serving their sentences.
Presidential pardon
She urged the prisons department to forward the names of inmates talented in sports for presidential mercy, emphasising that talent has become a lucrative means of sustaining livelihoods.
“We have taken these tournaments to them. Talent pays. The prisons department should champion their pardon and not let these talents go untapped once they have fully reformed. Forward their names. Netball in the country is growing. We need these talents out here,” she pleaded.
The Netball Mashinani Tujengane Initiative has established itself as a space for women in the community, offering opportunities, empowerment, and a platform to champion emerging societal issues such as gender-based violence (GBV) and community health.
“We are not in the field to pass time. Many tournaments are themed. Our recent tournament focused on wellness. Wellness goes beyond health—it includes mental, social, and economic well-being. All of these were present.
“Women were issued seeds, winners were guided on financial discipline, and the importance of exercise was emphasised. It is not only about empowering young girls and women but also helping build a healthy society,” Melissa said.
Melissa further called for support of the initiative, which she said goes beyond the pitch.
“Let us support platforms that bring women together to speak up and reduce mental health issues. These environments are safe and free from discrimination. Institutions involved in helping affected women and girls should be proactive. It is through collaborations that we build safe and secure communities. Let us work together,” she urged.
She noted that netball in the country is growing. What began as a small county tournament has expanded to schools, nurturing talents, securing livelihoods, and placing the county at national levels.
In the recently concluded Term Two ball games, Netball Mashinani teams dominated the tournament, with national champions emerging from the region, including Kisawai Junior Boys and Girls and Anderson Senior School.
Bukhokwe Girls from Bungoma finished third at the East Africa level, setting a new netball record for the Netball Mashinani Tujengane Initiative.
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