Tanzanian schools see new dawn in bid to turn into sports academies

DAR ES SALAAM: FOLLOWING the historic success of Makongo and Fountain Gate as schools that have produced Tanzania’s best sports talents that served the national teams, more schools are now engaging in exercise to turn themselves in sports-centred academies.

More schools are taking sports seriously in Dar es Salaam alone, with football, cricket, and basketball leading the onslaught, as recently reported at a Dar es Salaam-based  Al Muntazir School.

The school is on the spotlight for hosting a lucrative weekend football tournament, bringing together schools and academies located in Dar es Salaam.

The initiative is fundamental when it comes to talent identification, based on the fact that the competing youths are really showing their full potential.

For football scouts, this is the right place to be as they are assured to spot as many talented, promising upcoming footballers capable of elevating the country’s football landscape.

Al Muntazir’s Head of Sports, Abinel Matembera, conceded that allowing young people to play football, they fall in love with the game and become unstoppable when they are mature.

Interestingly, the introduced tournament is attracting both boys and girls teams, thereby leaving no one behind as far as creating gender balance in sports is concerned.

Tanzania is among the few countries in Africa with a vibrant Women’s Premier League (WPL), meaning that those who will be doing well in the girls category have an opportunity to be spotted by any team in WPL.

Just recently, hosts Al Muntazir A claimed the championship in the Under-9 (School Side) category of the inaugural Al Muntazir Football Tournament.

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The exciting contest witnessed talented young stars displaying their brilliant football skills, revealing the future potential that the country will fully enjoy.

For the Under-9 academy side, Hornet bagged the title following their impressive performance as they excelled to win most of their matches throughout the competition.

However, in the Under-11 School Side, Yemen School walked away with the glittering trophy, whereas DSM Soccer Academy triumphed in the Academy Side.

Furthermore, DSM Soccer Academy emerged Super Cup winners of the tournament…a testimony that they were in for serious business.

With the massive investment that the school has made in uplifting sports infrastructure by putting a new artificial football turf, it clearly shows that aside of enjoying academic excellence, they too value sports.

Putting into consideration the talented legs of the young players who are embracing the tournament, one can confidently declare that the future of football for them is bright.

It is encouraging to see that parents, guardians, and friends are showing maximum support to their children on the pitch, a testimony that they are enjoying every moment of the games.

This is the remarkable spirit that Al Muntazir Islamic International School is embracing, showing the public that sports is another key component in the proper development of children, as they do not only play but also make new friends.

Yes, from these eventful tournaments, a lot of new friends are being formed not only for the competing players but also those who turn up to have a glimpse of the entertaining matches.