TFF asks clubs seeking to sign players from TDS project to strict follow regulations 

DAR ES SALAAM: TANZANIA Football Federation (TFF) President, Wallace Karia, has warned clubs seeking to sign players from the Tanzania Development Soccer (TDS) programme to strictly follow the established procedures, stressing that the young footballers must be protected from unfair contractual arrangements.

Speaking to journalists today, Karia said TDS players under the age of 17 are enrolled in a structured development programme overseen by the TFF. They are only eligible to join clubs or other football institutions after reaching the age of 17 and successfully completing the programme.

He said the federation has noted that some clubs have already begun approaching players in TDS centres and offering them contracts without following the required recruitment process.

“We do not want these children to be exploited. They are part of a national programme, and we want to ensure that programme achieves its objectives,” Karia said.

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In a separate development, Karia announced that the TFF plans to reinstate its annual end-of-season awards ceremony, with future editions scheduled to take place in December or January instead of several months after the conclusion of the domestic season.

He said the awards will recognize league champions, outstanding players, coaches and other football stakeholders who excelled during the previous season. The federation is currently in discussions with potential sponsors to support the event.

“We will hold the awards in December or January. We are in talks with sponsors to make it happen,” Karia said.

Karia added that the federation intends to establish the awards as a permanent fixture on Tanzania’s football calendar, aligning them with the international practice of presenting season awards shortly after the completion of competitions.