The Rural Kings men’s soccer team from the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) started their campaign in the 2026 Inter-Ministry Games with a strong performance, securing a 1-0 victory against the determined Ministry of Public Service (MPS) in their opening match on Tuesday, June 23, at DC Park.
The Rural Kings entered the competition as underdogs but overpowered their rivals to earn their first crucial three points, setting an encouraging tone for the tournament.
Head coach James Blake commended his team for the decisive win.
“The overall performance from our boys was quite good and exceptional.
“Our opponent is a good side, but credit to the boys for keeping the pressure, and we managed to score the winning goal,” he said.
He also noted that fitness, game understanding, and player coordination are areas that need improvement as they prepare for upcoming matches.
“Our level of fitness, style of play, and team size were not in the best position to counter the most determined MPS side. They are a good team, and we appreciate the challenge they provided, which gave our boys a good run on the field,” he added.
“So far, so good. The Rural Kings team is on the right track to kick off our campaign in this year’s Inter-Ministry Games.”
Fitness training for the Rural Kings is ongoing ahead of their remaining matches.
Other sports that the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) is participating in include athletics, volleyball, futsal, netball, basketball, and table tennis.
Organized by the Ministry of Home Affairs, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, under the theme “Healthy Workforce, Healthy Nation,” the 2026 Inter-Ministry Games event aims to provide an opportunity for public servants to compete, interact, and strengthen working relationships beyond the office through a variety of sporting and team-building activities.
This annual event brings together over 20 government ministries for an exciting showcase of sportsmanship, teamwork, and healthy living.
The competition is currently underway, following its official opening on Friday, June 12, 2026.