Samia honoured for sports development
…Boxing dominates national sports awards
DAR ES SALAAM: THE National Sports Council Awards ceremony turned into a night of celebration for Tanzania’s sporting talent, with boxing emerging as the major winner and President Samia Suluhu Hassan receiving an honorary award for her remarkable leadership in the sports sector.
The Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports recognised President Samia for her exemplary role in increasing the annual sports budget and ensuring equal support across all disciplines, including football, basketball, cricket and golf.
On the event Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa received the award on behalf of the president and he was also honoured with a recognition award for his pivotal role in helping realise the President’s vision for sports development.
In the awards competition, professional boxer Fadhil Majiha was named the Best Male Sports Personality of the Year, edging out marathon runner Alphonce Simbu and fellow boxer Yusup Changalawe.
The Best Female Sports Personality title went to footballer Aisha Masaka, who triumphed over golfer Madina Iddy and boxer Rehema Abdallah.
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Boxing further cemented its dominance with Samwel Kapungu winning Best Coach of the Year, beating competitors including Hemed Selemani.
The National Boxing Team was awarded Best National Team of the Year. A special honorary award was presented to legendary athlete Theresia Dismas, who made history as Tanzania’s first medallist at a regional competition during the 1965 All Africa Games.
Young talents were also celebrated, with Sabri Kondo and Namnyaki Isaya taking the Young Star of the Year awards for male and female athletes respectively.
Other winners included cricketer Laksh Bakrania, who claimed the People’s Choice Award and school sports stars Neema Hamis and Baraka Sinjagwa, who won best female and male school sports person awards.
The national women’s football team, Twiga Stars, was named Best National Women’s Team, while the Best Sports Club award went to Young Africans SC.
The best male and female referees were Shabani Mohamed and Tabu Malongo, respectively.
