MOSCOW, Russia: IN a significant step toward advancing Tanzania’s sports development, the Minister for Culture, Arts and Sports, Damas Ndumbaro, has met with his Russian counterpart, Minister Mikhail Degtyarev, to explore potential cooperation between the two countries in the field of sports.
The meeting, held on Tuesday, December at the Ministry of Sports offices in Moscow, focused on fostering collaborative efforts aimed at enhancing sports education and expertise in Tanzania.
The discussions centred on the possibility of partnerships between Tanzanian institutions, including the Malya Sports Development College and renowned Russian universities such as Moscow State University and St Petersburg University.
The proposed partnership is set to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and skills in key areas such as sports medicine, coaching and athletic training.
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Special emphasis will be placed on sports where Russia has excelled, including soccer, judo, track and field, shot put and high jump.
Minister Ndumbaro highlighted the importance of gaining further expertise in these areas, particularly in sports medicine and coaching, as Tanzania looks ahead to major competitions, including the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the 2028 Olympic Games.
“The cooperation with Russian institutions will be a cornerstone in Tanzania’s sports development strategy,” said Ndumbaro.
“It will significantly enhance our athletes’ preparation for international competitions and provide crucial expertise for building a stronger sports foundation.” In addition to the cooperation with Russian institutions, Minister Ndumbaro also shared updates on the ongoing construction of a sports excellence centre at Malya Sports Development College.
This initiative, which is supported by Tanzania’s sixth-phase government, aims to provide state-of-the-art facilities for developing elite athletes.
“The partnership with Russian universities will be crucial in improving the capacity and effectiveness of the Malya Sports Excellence Centre, ensuring it can support the development of top-tier athletes who will compete on the global stage,” he added.
Minister Ndumbaro is currently in Russia on a working visit aimed at fostering opportunities for collaboration across the cultural, arts and sports sectors.
His discussions with Russian leaders and stakeholders are part of Tanzania’s broader efforts to build stronger international relationships and bring cuttingedge expertise to the country’s sports development.
