ZANZIBAR: ZANZIBAR President Hussein Ali Mwinyi has said his administration will continue to spearhead for sports growth in the Isles.
He made the remarks on Friday night during a special occasion to unveil the National Football Team ‘Zanzibar Heroes’ new jerseys.
“We have launched new kits for our national team Zanzibar Heroes that have been fully safeguarded by the Zanzibar Football Federation (ZFF).
“Truly, I am impressed with the design of these high-quality jerseys and special thanks to our popular fashion designer Sheria Ngowi for a remarkable designing job he did to these jerseys.
“Aside of constructing modern sports infrastructures, government will also take the responsibility of sharpening skills of coaches to improve their coaching capacities. Similarly, government is encouraging on the establishment and proper management of sports academies to produce talented athletes capable to shine in major competitions.
“Honestly, this is the right moment to build our national team…I urge private sectors and sports stakeholders to work with the government to make this possible,” he said.
The paraded kits are for home matches (blue), away games (green), fan kit (black) and alternative jersey (white) with each bearing unique symbols rooted to represent Zanzibar culture.
However, in his clarification on the concept behind various identities put on the jerseys, designer Ngowi said the white jersey has flowers on it to represent clove crop that is well known in the Isles.
“As you know, clove has been a symbol of identity for Zanzibar no wonder others call this country as a Karafuu(clove) Isles,” he said.
On the black jersey, Ngowi clarified that the symbols that have been labelled on it represent Zanzibar door artwork while for the home kit, he said it bears the name of Zanzibar and that it has two stars to represent Unguja and Pemba Islands.
“If you look at the socks, you see Zanzibar flag and all these have been placed on the home kit,” he narrated while on the away kit, he said its pattern and details resemble those of the home jersey.
He added that its green colour represent Mwani crop while on the collar, it has a Zanzibar flag.