Dubai Police has launched an inmates’ World Cup-style football tournament featuring 48 teams, as part of an initiative aimed at rehabilitation, engagement, and promoting positive behaviour through sport.
Dubai Police has launched a “World Cup”-style football tournament for inmates at its Punitive and Correctional Establishments, aligning the initiative with the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 in Canada, the United States, and Mexico.
Organised by the General Department of Punitive and Correctional Establishments in cooperation with the Positive Spirit Council under the General Department of Community Happiness, the tournament brings together 48 teams divided into 12 groups.
The initiative is designed as a large-scale sporting programme focused on rehabilitation, engagement, and encouraging positive behavioural change among inmates.
The opening ceremony was attended by Salah Juma Buassiba, along with his deputy Youssef Juma Karam.
Also present was Lt Col Mohammed Abdullah Al Obaidly, alongside several other officers, marking the official launch of the initiative within Dubai Police’s correctional facilities.
Salah Juma Buassiba said the department has evolved into a centre for education and culture for inmates through structured programmes and courses designed to support rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
He emphasized that educational, cultural, training, and sports initiatives play an important role in guiding inmates toward positive transformation.
He added that the rehabilitation strategy is guided by the principle of “humanity before place,” explaining that these programmes are designed to build inmates’ self-confidence and strengthen trust in institutional support, while reducing fear or hesitation about reintegrating into society after completing their sentences. He noted that the overall aim is to prepare inmates to return as productive members of the community.
Lt Col Mohammed Abdullah Al Obaidly said that Dubai Police is committed to offering a wide range of sports and recreational programmes for inmates aimed at promoting positive energy, maintaining physical fitness, and supporting rehabilitation in line with major global sporting events.
He explained that inmates regularly take part in sports tournaments, intellectual games, and educational and training activities at local, regional, and international levels. These initiatives help channel energy in a constructive way, improve physical, mental, and moral wellbeing, and make productive use of inmates’ free time.
He also highlighted strong participation in the tournament, noting that the department seeks to showcase inmates’ sporting talents and encourage engagement with global events in a spirit of healthy competition, discipline, and excellence.
