Tanzania registers 9 associations in a move to expand sports for people with disabilities
DODOMA: The government has intensified efforts to expand sports opportunities for people with disabilities, with nine sports associations for the group now registered as part of measures to strengthen their participation and identify new talent.
The Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports Paul Makonda announced this to Parliamentarians in Dodoma today, September 2, 2026, noting that the government, through the National Sports Council (BMT), was continuing to encourage the formation and registration of sports associations for people with disabilities.
The minister made the statement in response to a question from a Special Seats MP Nyamizi Mhoja, who sought to know the government’s strategy for developing sports for people with disabilities and nurturing athletes in the category where Minister Makonda said the government is supporting participation through training coaches specialising in disability sports, organising inclusive sports festivals, conducting domestic competitions and facilitating athletes with disabilities to participate in international events.
ALSO READ: Tanzania warns its youth against excessive consumption of alcohol, drug abuse
“By August 2026, a total of nine associations for different sports for people with disabilities had been registered, including football, basketball, tennis, athletics and swimming,” he said.
Additionally, he stated that the government is also implementing strategies to increase the number of athletes with disabilities by encouraging them to participate in various competitions.
He said plans were underway, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Prime Minister’s Office–Regional Administration and Local Government (PMO-RALG), to increase the number of coaches and sports teachers by about 10,000.
The initiative, he said, would help improve access to sports and create a stronger pathway for identifying and developing athletes with disabilities across the country.
