Africa-Press – Tanzania. IT was very fascinating when President Samia Suluhu Hassan cordially awarded Twiga Stars players for clinching the COSAFA Women’s title in the event that also honoured athletes and artists who performed well in the global level events.
The presidential recognition for every notable sporting excellence is always motivation since it makes an athlete strive for success while motivating others to do the same.
President Samia’s recognition means she was with Twiga Stars when the brave Tanzanian ladies won the COSAFA Cup after defeating Malawi 1-0 in the final at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
President Samia keenly followed every match Twiga Stars played and that was evidenced through the honourary mention of Zubeda Mgunda, who saved three penalties in Twiga Stars’ 3-2 win over Zambia, the team’s Captain Amina Bilal for showing a high level of quality at the middle of terrain and Fatuma Issa for her excellence in defending.
Grateful President also showered praises to the team’s coach Bakari Shime for his unique coaching skills that enabled Tanzanian Ladies win the COSAFA titles for Under-17, Under-20 and the senior team.
We, on behalf of the sports fraternity, would like to thank the President for her commitment to develop sports and arts and with her at the helm, sports and arts head for a new dawn.
We, as well, like to tell all sports bodies to implement the government direction that wants them to invest in developing coaches with better coaching skills who will enable the nation to have more professional and high skilled coaches.
While we commend President Samia and the government for their commitment, we urge sports governing bodies and stakeholders to join hand in reviving sports that previously brought Tanzania medals in the World-class events like Olympics and Club Games.
The government support and commitment to develop sports should not only involve football, but all sports including athletics, which was the country’s major medal hope in the past four decades.
Though it is very difficult to force the football-mania Tanzanians to take interest in athletics, we believe with increased awareness, promotion and motivation from combined efforts of all stakeholders, athletics can return to the golden era of Filbert Bayi and Suleiman Nyambui who won the only country’s Olympic medals 40 years ago in Moscowstaged games.
We end up saying Kudos to President Samia for the excellent job while we call all sports bodies to work together diligently in developing sports and sportsmanship.
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