Africa-Press – Tanzania. THE government has opted for a pyramid approach, as it seeks vibrant sports development programmes, Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Innocent Bashungwa told the Parliament.
Winding up the ministry budget estimates on Monday evening, Mr Bashungwa said the approach will put more weight in primary and secondary schools, where talents will be nourished.
Pyramid model of sport development suggested that there are at least four levels being foundation, mass participation at a local or regular level, which seeks to develop opportunities for everyone to participate in sport; competitive sport which deals with peoples chances to achieve their potential in sport and the next level progresses into higher performance levels with more opportunities with coaching and finally excellence with the emphasis on elite performance.
The approach, thereafter narrows down to professionalism, where clubs will be incorporated insisting that the sports development will take into account gender aspects.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Regional Administration and Local Government and that of Education, Science and Technology, they have agreed that sports will be taken seriously in schools like any other subjects.
He said the government has identified one school in every district in the country, which among others, will specialise in sports.
Minister Bashungwa further said in 2021/22 financial year, the government has allocated 1.3bn/- for improvement of infrastructures at Malya College of Sports Development.
He said the improvement will enable the institution to offer on field training to trainers.
He also reminded clubs to bring in foreign players who have quality to compete at the top level.
Not just any players. “Clubs must ensure they recruit high profile and quality foreign players that will help our local players to learn and gain experience from them,” said Mr Bashungwa The Minister also directed the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) to observe good governance and professionalism in handling football.
He said the government is keen and keeping a close eye. “We are eyes on and hands off according to Fifa, we will not tolerate any misconduct on non-observant of good governance core values in our football,” he insisted.
On poor football infrastructure, he said, they will liase with TFF to see how best the football development funds released by Fifa will be directed to put artificial turfs in the different sports grounds.
He said in the whole approach, private sector will be engaged fully as they are key partners in the development of sports sector.
On the construction of the state- of -the-art stadium in Dodoma, Mr Bashingwa said they are at an advanced stage and details will be released soon.
