Africa-Press – Tanzania. WHILE six countries already confirmed their participation in Africa Kabaddi Championship, the government has appealed the sport’s well-wishers to support the event.
Organised by Tanzania Kabaddi Sports Association (TKSA) in collaboration with Africa Kabaddi Federation, the annual competition is scheduled for June 29 to 5th July this year after being postponed several times since last year.
TKSA chairman Abdallah Nyoni, told the ‘Daily News’ in Dar es Salaam yesterday that preparation for the Africa Kabaddi Championship 2021 is on a top gear.
He said that Yusufu Singo, the Director of Sports Development in the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports has called for a support when the event’s organising committee visited his office this week.
The championship which brings together top African national men and women’s teams, is organised under the auspices and sanction of Africa Kabaddi Confederation and World Kabaddi.
Nyoni said after being postponed several times, they have now decided to run the event and they are happy to receive good response from five countries that will join Tanzania at battle. He said that the global coronavirus pandemic has restricted some of its members from travelling to Tanzania.
Nyoni named teams that have confirmed participation as Kenya, Egypt, Cameroon, Zimbabwe, Mauritius and the hosts Tanzania.
The chairman added that Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa will not bring teams due to coronavirus, but they will attend the Africa Kabaddi Board meeting that will be held during the competition.
He said that they have been pleased with the support from the government in the preparation so far.
“We are happy that the government has been close and good supporters since the beginning, we thank Singo for hosting us in his office and said among the support from the government include the use of the Indoor Stadium,” he said.
TKSA also thanked good partnership with Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioners office, the Ministry of Information, Cultural, Arts and Sports along with National Sports Council of Tanzania and Indian High Commissioner to Tanzania who help them to conduct smooth preparation.
However, Nyoni said that they still need support to purchase all necessary items including pairs of jersey, shoes and kabaddi laying mat. Tanzania has been given the chance to host the event for the first time in the history.
