TCA partners with Australia to boost grassroots cricket

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Tanzania Cricket Association (TCA) has announced a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening cricket development across the country, including international partnerships, coach training and infrastructure upgrades.

Speaking in Dar es Salaam yesterday, TCA Chairman Balakrishnan Sreekumar confirmed that the association has formalised a partnership with Grassroot Cricket Australia. The agreement will bring international coaches to support school-level cricket training in Tanzania. “This initiative will introduce professional coaching methods and support the growth of grassroots cricket,” he said.

Sreekumar thanked key contributors to the agreement, including Dinesh Vaishnav and Shaheedji, calling it a major step in the association’s efforts to professionalise the sport at the youth level.

As part of wider regional efforts, a cricket club from Zanzibar has started participating in matches in Dar es Salaam and 12 coaches from Zanzibar have been identified for formal training beginning this week.

Two Level 2 coaches, along with the TCA’s Chief Development Officer, are currently in Zanzibar to lead the programme. Upon completion, the coaches will return to their schools to help train young players.

Over the past six weeks, the TCA has brought in regional coaches in groups of 5–6 for training with the national coach. All 24 regional coaches have now completed their initial sessions. “While there is still room for improvement, the coaches’ enthusiasm and willingness to learn are encouraging,” Sreekumar said.

He also announced that such training camps will now be held quarterly to ensure continuous improvement and regular evaluation.

On infrastructure, the TCA has completed ground levelling at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), next to the football field, and grass-laying is scheduled to begin next week.

To further enhance pitch quality, a curator from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is expected to visit Tanzania on 24 October to assist with pitch preparation.

Cricket legend Dinesh Vaishnav welcomed the new developments and acknowledged the role of Kanu Rathod, who leads international outreach efforts for the Cricket Legends of Tanzania. He also credited Nick Chouhan of Grassroot Cricket Zimbabwe for helping initiate the Australia-Tanzania connection.

“With a leader like Sreekumar, whose vision and planning are transforming cricket in Tanzania, many things are now possible,” Vaishnav said, adding that the Cricket Legends remain committed to supporting the TCA’s mission.