Dubai announces 1st football league for prison inmates

Dubai has announced a first-of-its-kind football league for prisoners serving their sentences in the emirate.

Fourteen teams will participate in a six-player system, and the matches will be held at Al Awir Prison from April 7 to May 31. Meanwhile, the teams have started their practice sessions and physical exercises inside the detention centres.

The Dubai Sports Council (DSC) and Dubai Police are collaborating to organise these matches that people in penal and correctional institutions will play.

Brigadier Marwan Abdul Karim Julfar, Director of the General Department of Punitive and Correctional Establishments at Dubai Police, highlighted how learning can create a flicker of joy for inmates, paving the way for a redemptive future.

He said, “As part of our initiatives for our 'guests’, a term we prefer to use when addressing them, we aim to equip these people for life beyond their time in prison.”

He stressed that a considerable amount of preparation is dedicated to these individuals, including education, lifestyle adjustments, and involvement in sports, “with sports being an integral component”.

The senior official said the initiative spans nearly three months, which means inmates serving longer prison terms get to participate in these matches. “Those who are serving a term for minor offences and will be with us for a few weeks or months will not be part of this league, as it’s designed for individuals staying for more than three months,” he added.

Salem Al Karbi, Event Organiser, said, “The arbitration process will be managed by the rules of the UAE Football Federation. This is the first official league being held under the supervision of the government entities.”