Government eyes reforms to boost netball fortunes

DODOMA: THE Government is looking to strengthen netball structures, improve competition and attract sponsors as part of efforts to restore the sport’s popularity and competitiveness.

Deputy Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Hamis Mwinjuma told the National Assembly in Dodoma yesterday that improving governance within the Netball Association (CHANETA) is key to attracting investment and supporting the sport’s development.

“The aim is to improve the principles of good governance, ensuring transparency, accountability, participation and sound plans for managing netball,” Mwinjuma said.

He was responding to supplementary questions from Jasmine Ng’umbi (Special Seats, CCM), who sought clarification on the government’s plans to help netball attract sponsorship and whether the competition structure could be expanded to encourage wider participation and improve competitiveness.

Mwinjuma said better administration would help build sponsors’ confidence in the association. “We believe that if we strengthen these structures, it will attract sponsors who can invest significant funds in improving the sport,” he said.

The Deputy Minister said CHANETA had affiliated associations in every region of Mainland Tanzania and organised three major competitions annually: The First Division League, the Premier League and the Union League.

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However, he acknowledged that Tanzania could learn from countries with stronger netball systems, including Australia, England, South Africa and Uganda.

“There are several models for managing netball in countries where the sport is performing well. We can learn several lessons, particularly in talent identification, coaching, management and securing sponsorship,” he said.

Mwinjuma said the Government would continue working with CHANETA to improve the sport while allowing the association to manage its day-today affairs.

“Our role is to create a favourable policy environment that enables sponsors to come in and support netball,” he said.

He added that government support for national teams competing internationally, alongside efforts to develop players, coaches and officials, remained part of the broader strategy to raise the sport’s profile.