AfricaPress-Tanzania: TANZANIA Broadcasting Corporation (TBC), has been requested to look into possibilities of broadcasting live the First Division League (FDL) and Second Division League (SDL) games.
This was disclosed by the Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Harrison Mwakyembe, during his recent press briefing in Dodoma on Friday, about the safety measures to be undertaken when sports activities resumes from June 1st this year.
“During our meetings we have had with different stakeholders prior to the resumption of football leagues, we also touched on the issue of advertisement. “We all know that Azam TV are official broadcasters of the Mainland Premier League and Azam Sports Federation Cup (ASFC) and they are doing a good job but as government, we have talked with TBC to look on the possibilities of beaming live FDL and SDL matches to give Tanzanians more football entertainment,” Mwakyembe said.
He added that there are many things unfolding in these lower division leagues which fans are desperate to watch.
Mwakyembe further said that clubs are free from starting training immediately but must observe social distancing.
He warned players against spitting on the pitch, pile celebrations as well as hand shaking and any other behaviors that would put them in risk of being infected.
He said as one way to avoid further spread of Covid-19 pandemic when football leagues in the country resumes, government has urged players to shun spitting while on the field.
“Time has come for players to change some behaviors, while on the battlefield in order to safeguard their lives. We should consider placing some buckets around the pitch for them to spit in when they feel the urge to do so. “Moreover, some styles of goal celebration which involves players coming together to form a mountain-like structure should never be entertained this time around,” Mwakyembe said, while also discouraging handshakes before the match.
He also made it clear that at every entry point into the stadium, there should be running water where people can wash their hands before getting inside.
Already, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Hassan Abbasi said that this is the best moment for the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) and the Tanzania Premier League Board (TPLB) to start drafting fixtures for the remaining matches of the season.
“Players can also begin training sessions while waiting the concerned football bodies (TFF and TPLB) to announce the exact kick off date. “By allowing teams to start training programmes, we do not want to see people heading to training venues to watch the practice sessions because by doing that, they will be breaking the set up measures by the government of observing social distance.
“We want to see only players, technical bench members and few club leaders of the respective clubs at their training and not many people,” he said.
President John Magufuli picked June 1st this year as the official date to resume all sport activities in the country, while insisting that engaging in sports is a reliable preventive method to fight against diseases including the coronavirus.
