The Tanzania Prisons Service says it is ready to compete for honours in various disciplines at the 2026 Tanzania Military Sports Council (BAMMATA) Games, which begin in Mwanza on September 21.
The service’s preparations have included the CGP Cup competitions held in Dar es Salaam in August, which were used to assess and strengthen its teams ahead of the national military sports competition.
Speaking to journalists at St Augustine University of Tanzania (SAUT) in Mwanza on Saturday, September 19, the Prisons Service Head of Sports and Culture, Assistant Commissioner of Prisons (ACP) Solomon Mwambingu, said the service had prepared teams across several sporting disciplines.
“The Tanzania Prisons Service is well prepared in various sports. We continue to identify and develop talent. The national netball team coach comes from the Prisons Service, while we also have players representing national teams,” he said.
“We are well prepared and ready to compete for trophies at BAMMATA 2026.”
The BAMMATA Games will run from September 21 to October 5 in various venues across Mwanza, bringing together teams from Tanzania’s defence and security institutions and special government departments.
ACP Mwambingu said the opening and closing ceremonies would be held at CCM Kirumba Stadium, which will also host football, netball and athletics competitions.
Other venues have been designated for different disciplines. Butimba Teachers College will host football, netball and basketball, while Milongo grounds will be used for handball, basketball and volleyball. Shooting competitions will be held at the MTC grounds.
The Prisons Service's preparations come as the institution continues to use competitive sports to identify and develop athletes, some of whom go on to represent Tanzania at international level.
BAMMATA was established in 1977 as a professional body responsible for coordinating and managing sports activities among Tanzania’s defence and security organs and special departments of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar.
The council comprises eight zones: Ngome, Tanzania National Service (JKT), Police, Prisons, Immigration, Fire and Rescue, Islands and the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar (SMZ).