Govt reaffirms commitment to sports, cultural development

DODOMA: THE government has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the country’s sports infrastructure and promoting its rich cultural heritage as key pillars of national development.

With a clear vision for the future, the government continues to allocate significant resources towards the expansion of sports facilities and cultural initiatives, ensuring that both sectors contribute to the nation’s growth and global standing.

Prime Minister, Kassim Majaliwa, made these statements yesterday in Dodoma while presenting a review of government activities and outlining the budget estimates for his docket in the 2025/2026 fiscal year.

Speaking in the National Assembly, Majaliwa highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to enhance sports facilities in preparation for major international tournaments, including the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in 2025 and the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2027.

He stated, “The renovation of the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium has reached 75 per cent completion and the construction of new stadiums in Arusha and Dodoma is progressing steadily. The Dodoma Stadium project is in its initial stages, with a contract signed in February 2025.”

In his address, Majaliwa also stressed the government’s proactive stance in promoting Kiswahili as both a cultural treasure and an international language.

“The government continues to make efforts to promote Kiswahili both nationally and internationally,” he said.

“This includes establishing cultural centres in our foreign embassies and introducing Kiswahili courses in international universities.”

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He further celebrated Tanzania’s participation in the inaugural International Kiswahili Conference in Cuba, which attracted approximately 400 participants.

“This conference helped spread the importance of Kiswahili to countries with a significant African diaspora,” Majaliwa added.

In line with promoting the arts, Majaliwa spoke on the government’s financial support for local artists.

“The government has disbursed 7.96bn/- in loans to support artists in various fields, including film, music and crafts,” he said.

“This initiative is part of our commitment to ensuring that Tanzanian artists can develop their work and gain international recognition.”

The Prime Minister also noted the collaboration with organisations like the Hollywood and African Prestigious Awards (HAPAWARDS), where Tanzanian artists were awarded for their excellence in music, film and fashion design.

The government’s efforts to support both sports and culture are part of a larger vision to position Tanzania as a key player on the international stage.

As Majaliwa concluded, “We are committed to ensuring that Tanzania continues to grow and make significant strides in sports, culture and the arts, making us a strong, proud nation on the world stage.”