SIMBA sold a jersey bearing President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s name for 10m/- during a special event of auctioning six jerseys they launched at the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro recently.
The Reds inaugurated their 2023/24 season kits at the top of the highest mountain in Africa where they lined up six jerseys bearing the names of high-profile figures in the country.
They had names of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Vice-President Phillip Mpango, Zanzibar President Hussein Mwinyi, Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, Speaker of the National Assembly Tulia Ackson, and Simba’s investor Mohamed Dewji (MO).
However, on Monday night in Dar es Salaam, they auctioned all the six jerseys including the bag which was used to carry the kits at the summit of the mountain.
President Samia’s kit was the last to be auctioned on the day with CRDB coming up with the highest bid of 10m/- beating other bidders in the process.
That of the Zanzibar President was sold at 5m/-, Prime Minister 4m/-, Vice-President 3m/-, Speaker of Parliament 2.5m/- and that of MO was auctioned at 2m/- while the red bag that carried the jerseys to the roof of Mount Kilimanjaro went away at 2.5m/- and in total, they generated 29m/-.
According to Simba’s Chief Executive Officer Iman Kajula, the proceeds will be allocated towards the construction of maternity wards at Muhimbili National Hospital in Dar es Salaam and Mnazi Mmoja Hospital in Zanzibar.
Meanwhile, Simba coach Roberto Oliveira revealed that he prefers attacking to defending football insisting that now he has more selection options of players than last season.
The Reds wrapped up their preseason drills in Turkey where they camped to prepare for the busy schedule next season that will see them competing in domestic competitions plus two international contests (Champions League and African Football League).
But, in one of his interviews, the Brazilian trainer reiterated that his preference is attacking football that is why he likes to play in the final third of the pitch.
“I am going to repeat, I do not care if my opponents are going to hear, I like to play in the final third of the field,” said Oliveira who still eyes to win a title at the helm of the Msimbazi street giants.
He also disclosed that now, he has two groups of players in his squad, one of which comprise players who are ready for games while the other group, he said needs ample time to train before getting the required rhythm.
In another development, Simba’s chairman Murtaza Mangungu said they have requested the government to also permit them to use Uhuru Stadium on top of Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on the climax of Simba Day.
“Benjamin Mkapa Stadium alone will not be enough to celebrate our Simba Day as such, we have written the government to allow us to use both venues simultaneously to accommodate the big number of our members and fans,” he said yesterday in the city during the official launch of Simba Week.
Simba Day will be celebrated on Sunday with its epicentre being an international friendly match between Simba against Power Dynamos of Zambia while the curtain raiser game will be between giants banks CRDB Bank and NMB Bank.
