By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
THE Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) Matabeleland South Province is in advanced preparations of a football club to compete in the ZIFA Division Two league during the 2026 season.
Speaking to Ziyah News Network, Correctional Officer Grade Three (CO3) Terence Tikiti, the ZPCS Provincial Public Relations Officer for Matabeleland South, confirmed that plans are afoot to establish the team, which will be known as Correctional Kings Football Club (CK FC).
“I can confirm that the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) Matabeleland South Province is in preparations to form a soccer team, Correctional Kings Football Club (CK FC), which intends to affiliate with ZIFA for Division Two during the 2026 season,” said Tikiti.
He revealed the club is currently working on key requirements such as registration, licensing, and upgrading its home venue.
“We are currently in the preparatory stages, working on registration, affiliation, licensing, and upgrading of our home ground at Gwanda Prison Camp ground,” he said.
The Gwanda Prison Camp Ground (Egodini) has been identified as the team’s home stadium once renovations are completed.
Tikiti said an interim executive organising committee, along with several sub-committees, has already been selected to spearhead the process.
Player recruitment has also been opened to the wider Matabeleland South community, as the club seeks to build a team made up of both correctional officers and civilians.
“We are looking for a mix of officers and community members to join the team, reflecting ZPCS’s commitment to community engagement and rehabilitation,” he explained.
He said public trials will be announced soon, while the coaching and technical staff are already in place.
Tikiti further noted that the club is currently self-funding but is appealing to corporate partners, stakeholders, and well-wishers for sponsorship and support.
“We are self-funding at the moment, but we are open to sponsorship and support from well-wishers. CK FC T-shirts will be available soon, and we will be organising fundraising events to support the team,” he said.
He said one of the club’s broader objectives is to contribute to social development by fighting drug and substance abuse among young people.
“We are banking on the corporate world, business, friends and stakeholders to help us, with one of our aims being to fight drug and substance abuse among youths,” said Tikiti.
The launch of Correctional Kings FC and sponsorship opportunities are expected to be announced in the coming months as the club moves closer to its ZIFA Division Two debut in 2026.