ALONG with other achievements, the government has shown a real commitment to ensuring enough improvement in football stadium pitches standards.
The Ministry of Arts, Culture and Sports said the government had allocated 10bn/- to enable Tanzania to meet the criteria for staging global and regional competitions. However, the amount is solely for the renovation of stadiums.
During the parliament session in Dodoma, the docket Minister Mohamed Mchengerwa revealed his ministerial plans.
And he emphasized that they will begin with seven stadiums, namely Jamhuri in Dodoma, Sheikh Amri Abeid in Arusha, Sokoine in Mbeya, CCM Kirumba in Mwanza, Mkwakwani in Tanga, Uhuru and Benjamin Mkapa arenas in Dar es Salaam.
However, other renovation includes installing artificial grass and platforms in the Kigoma, Rukwa, Mtwara, Iringa, Tabora and Shinyanga regions.
For instance, ‘Daily News’ reported this September that the redeveloped modern Majaliwa Stadium has given the Southern Tanzania region a new dawn as it has revitalised football and made it open to global-level events.
The upgraded arena brought reforms in Lindi, and the southern regions, the only arena in the southern part of Tanzania that will host international games with a required global standard.
With state-of-the-art artificial turf surrounded by strong sports flood lights that brighten the football pitch, the arena has brought a new dawn for Southern Tanzania’s football and the country.
The beneficial innovation was commended by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who hailed the residents of Ruangwa for successfully installing such a highly profitable arena since sports have been among the crucial elements of tourism in the modern world.
President Samia said this through a phone dialogue with Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa and the Lindi residents during the stadium’s launching event.
The Head of State noted the stadium would be a catalyst for promoting the sports sector in the country.
“I congratulate you on the captivating ceremony to launch the Majaliwa football Stadium; the stadium will also offer the opportunity for our teams to train.”
The redevelopment of Majaliwa Stadium has brought meaning to the nation after adding to the tally of stadiums with floodlights. Majaliwa Stadium joins Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, Amaan Stadium, Kaitaba Stadium, Jamhuri Stadium and Azam Complex Stadium.
This makes a total of six stadiums with floodlights able to stage games day and night.
Also, the Majaliwa Stadium joined the list of stadiums with artificial turf in the country. Other stadiums include Amaan Stadium, Kaitaba Stadium, Gombani, Uhuru Stadium and Azam Complex Stadium, thus making a sum of five stadiums with artificial turf.
Following the achievement, the Tanzania Premier League Board (TPLB) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Almasi Kasongo hailed the Ruangwa Council for the successful completion of the project.
The country has five league hosting venues which can support night matches like Benjamin Mkapa Stadium (Dar es Salaam), Azam Complex (Dar es Salaam), Jamhuri Stadium (Dodoma), Kaitaba Stadium (Kagera) and Majaliwa Stadium (Lindi).
