Cricket claims success in its grassroots development goal
DAR ES SALAAM: CRICKET stakeholders in the country have called upon massive investment to be done in primary schools so as to groom many young cricketers.
Despite facing tough challenges from popular sports like football, there seems to be a bright light at the end of the tunnel only if strategic investment is achieved to uplift it.
Briefing the Daily News in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday, Kawe B Primary School Cricket coach Osman Bairu insists that the only way to upgrade cricket in the country is through grassroots investment.
His remarks come few days after guiding his team to lift the 2025 Chanzo Cricket Tournament held at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) cricket grounds recently, which attracted 32 teams.
“More investment should be made in schools, especially Primary Schools, where many talented young cricketers are found.
“Also, public and private sectors should join forces by constructing modern cricket grounds in schools across the country to give people a platform to engage in this sport,” he says.
Again, Bairu says the fact that Tanzania’s Under-19 Boys Cricket team qualified for the World Cup Cricket 2026 to be held in Zimbabwe and Namibia is an indication that the future of cricket is bright.
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“We should also work abreast to ensure that girls teams are empowered so that they can too represent the nation at high-level contests…I also commend the Tanzania Cricket Association for their efforts to promote this sport,” he said.
Sharing a secret on what orchestrated his team to clinch the Chanzo Cricket Tournament silverware, he says discipline, commitment and teamwork were the driving forces.
“We managed to win all 16 matches and in the finale, we scored 17 runs in two overs against our opponents Abbas Tarimba Secondary School, who claimed 10 runs in two overs,” he said.
He names Angel Moris and Nadya Nassor as outstanding cricketers from his side during the tournament, while revealing that they are planning to conduct a trip to Morogoro and Arusha to play cricket.
