Massive boost for sports

DAR ES SALAAM: ZANZIBAR business community has contributed 500m/- to support football in the country as a gesture of appreciation tor President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s efforts in promoting sports in the country.

The contribution was presented yesterday during President Samia’s swearing-in ceremony of government officials, including ministers, judges and regional commissioners.

Representing the business community, entrepreneur Said Nasri Nasri handed over a dummy cheque of 500m/- to President Samia. The amount will be given to the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF).

President Samia has been at the forefront of ensuring the flourishing of sports in the country, by ensuring that the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Sports effectively oversees the sector.

Furthermore, under the Sixth Phase Government, the sports sector has seen improvements in infrastructure, including the famous Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.

The government has injected 31 billion/- for the renovation of the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, wherein until October last year the government had spent 4bn/- to improve the pitch area, changing rooms for teams, VIP area, media tribune, and flood lights.

Other than the improvement at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, the government is set to build a new state-of-the-art stadium in Arusha that will cost 286 billion/-.

President Samia has also been a major supporter of national teams and clubs representing the nation in various international competitions.

Additionally, President Samia initiated the idea of establishing a committee to support national teams by encouraging various stakeholders to raise funds for the teams’ preparation for global competitions.

She also pledged to reward each goal scored in international competitions to motivate players at the national team and club level to excel in those competitions, and has honored the pledge.

In the continuing CAF Champions League, where Yanga and Simba are competing, President Samia has already provided a total of 150m/- during the group stages, with Yanga receiving 85m/- and Simba 65m/-.

To further boost morale and motivation for victory, President Samia has pledged to provide 10m/- for every goal scored in the quarter-finals of the competition.

Such a move from sports stakeholders is a response to the Head of State’s call made in January to persuade sports enthusiasts, private and public sector organisations, business individuals and other groups to participate in the fundraising event and support the national teams and sports in general.

During the kick-start of the initiative to support national teams in January, the Head of State, along with her friends, pledged to contribute 500m/- with the hope of encouraging others to follow suit and support the national teams.

Business people and other stakeholders responded to the President’s call by contributing 300m/- while others pledged to contribute.

At the kick-start of the initiative to support national teams in January, the Head of State, accompanied by her associates, pledged a contribution of 500m/-, aiming to inspire others to join in and support the national teams.

Responding to the President’s call, businesspeople and other stakeholders contributed 300m/-, with additional pledges still coming in.