PM instructs councils to preserve open spaces for sports, physical exercises

DODOMA: PRIME Minister Mwigulu Nchemba has directed all local councils and planning departments across the country to ensure that open spaces suitable for sports are preserved and continue to be used by youth for exercise and sporting activities.

Additionally, he said that open spaces are not being sold, but rather used to nurture young talent and develop the sports sector in the country.

The PM gave the directives at the Parliament in Dodoma on Thursday during the Q and A session when responding to a question from the Amani Constituency, Zanzibar MP, Abdul Yussuf Maalim, who sought to know the government’s long-term strategy for nurturing and recognizing talent.

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Elaborating his answer, the Prime Minister said that the government has taken numerous steps to promote sports nationwide, including designating 56 schools across Tanzania as specialized sports institutions as well as the construction of sports fields in various regions, and the improvement of sports competitions in primary and secondary schools.

“Beyond that, emphasis has been placed on inter-school competitions for primary and secondary students through programs such as UMITASHUMTA and UMISETA. We also encourage government institutions, including the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), to sponsor these events, where children can perform patriotic songs and activities to raise awareness about the role of taxes in national development,” he said.

He also said that the government, in collaboration with relevant ministries, is exploring the possibility of organizing more competitions to help young athletes develop holistically and enhance their performance in sports.