Zanzibar’s 2nd VP opens Armed Forces Games in Mwanza

MWANZA: THE Second Vice President of Zanzibar, Hemed Suleiman Abdulla has officially opened the Tanzania Military Sports Council (BAMMATA) competitions at the CCM Kirumba Stadium in Mwanza region today.

The competitions, which involve military teams and defense and security agencies from seven regions, will be held for 10 days from today, September 21 to October 5, this year, under the theme ‘Tanzania is ours, let’s stick together to maintain peace’.

Speaking to sportsmen and participants of the competitions, Second Vice President, Hemed Suleiman Abdulla said his mission is not only to strengthen sports competition, but rather to build solidarity and unity between these agencies.

He also commended the leaders of the defense and security agencies for appreciating sports as an important weapon to build discipline, love, unity and solidarity.

“I call on citizens to continue to be patriots and protect the value of peace in our country in order to promote tourism and the development of various sectors that affect the lives of our people,”  he said.

He stressed that exercising is important to help strengthen mental and physical health, as health experts continue to warn of the increase in non-communicable diseases that are caused by lifestyle, including lack of exercise and poor nutrition, which can affect social well-being.

“Health is the nation’s capital in achieving the 2050 development vision. I would like to emphasize that we exercise and focus on good nutrition,” he said.

In another step, the Second Vice President said that the competition provides an opportunity for athletes to improve their standards and prepare for various local and foreign competitions.

Where, he urged leaders to continue strengthening the competition and developing the talents that are being raised so that they can be developed and become a support for the nation.

“These competitions should be a place to showcase talent, discipline and the ability to compete fairly. I urge participants and judges to adhere to the rules and regulations,” said Abdulla and added;

“Let’s not compete with each other forcefully. We expect that when the competitions are over, we will see brotherhood, friendship, strengthening relationships and your work.”

The Minister for Defence and the Nation Building Force, Dr Rhimo Nyansaho, said that the holding of the competitions is an example of the government’s continued emphasis on sports to build health, discipline, unity, solidarity and love.

“The theme reminds us of our responsibility to jointly build and promote peace and solidarity in all important activities that unite us,” said Nyansaho.

He added that their expectation is to see competition with discipline, civility and mutual respect.

For his part, the Chief of Defence and Security Forces (CDF). Jacob Mkunda, who is the Chairman of the Committee of Chiefs of Defence and Security Forces, has stressed that the competitions should be a catalyst for strengthening unity and solidarity.

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“Within the security and defense agencies, sports are not just entertainment but also preparation for soldiers to strengthen defense. Within the army, for us, sports are part of the job,” said CDF Mkunda.

He said in an effort to develop talents, the army has planned to improve the talent recognition system, improve infrastructure to ensure that the army continues to be a place to discover and develop talents.

Earlier, giving a report on the competition, the Chairman of the Tanzania Armed Forces Sports Council (BAMMATA), Major General Said Hamis Said, said that for about 10 days, athletes will participate and compete in soccer, handball, basketball, netball, athletics, archery, all-purpose shooting for men and women, as well as netball.

He mentioned the seven zones that will participate are the Fortress, the Nation Building Force (JKT), Prisons, Immigration, Police, Fire and Rescue, as well as the Special Forces of the Zanzibar Insurgent Government (SMZ).

He stressed that the competition was established with the aim of bringing together soldiers from the security forces to promote solidarity, friendship, brotherhood between them and the community as well.

In addition, the stadiums that will be used are CCM Kirumba, Mirongo, Butimba Teachers College, Nyamagana, Raha Leo Hall in Mkuyuni for the darts game, MTC Nyegezi Hall for the target shooting game.

However, the Mwanza Regional Commissioner, CP Salum Hamduni has mentioned the benefits of the presence of the competition in the region as including providing entertainment, building solidarity, increasing cash flow from the business that is being done, and sports tourism.

“Due to the benefits of these games, I request that if the committee is pleased, bring these games back to Mwanza region in 2027,” said CP Hamduni.