Africa-Press – Tanzania. MUSIC pulsed through the air. Basketballs thudded rhythmically against polished courts. Laughter and cheers echoed across the grounds. Over the weekend, JMK Youth Park transformed into a vibrant festival arena as hundreds gathered to celebrate a decade of transforming lives through sport.
The colourful 10 Fest commemorated a remarkable milestone for the community hub, which has inspired and reached more than 300,000 young people and residents since opening its gates in 2015.
For many attendees, the celebration was more than just an anniversary; it was a tribute to ten years of opportunity, growth and hope. Speaking during the festivities, Senior Marketing Manager of Coca-Cola Tanzania, Kabula Nshimo, described the park as a powerful platform for possibility.
“Celebrating ten years of JMK Park is celebrating ten years of confidence, talent and dreams nurtured in this space,” she said.
“This is where young people discover who they are and what they can become.” Held in partnership with The Coca-Cola Company, the event highlighted a shared commitment to youth empowerment through sport and community engagement. Nshimo emphasised that when young people are supported, entire communities flourish.
Over the years, Coca-Cola has championed initiatives that promote sport, creativity and entrepreneurship, values closely aligned with JMK Park’s mission to develop character, leadership and life skills alongside athletic excellence.
As a non-profit, multi-sport community hub, JMK Youth Park offers free programmes for both youth and adults, guided by trained coaches and mentors. Its inclusive model intentionally creates space for girls and people with disabilities, fostering teamwork, healthy living and self-belief.
That spirit of inclusion was unmistakable throughout the festival. The programme featured thrilling football matches, 5-on-5 and 3×3 basketball tournaments, wheelchair basketball exhibitions, dodgeball contests, energising morning aerobics sessions and live DJ performances that kept spirits high from start to finish.
The lively Fanta Fun Zone drew enthusiastic crowds with prizes and giveaways, while the Food Fest showcased local vendors serving an array of mouth-watering dishes, complemented by refreshing favourites including Fanta, Sprite and Dasani. JMK Park Director Mark Sequeira said the milestone honours both the people and the purpose behind the initiative.
For ten years, this park has been a safe, welcoming space where young people grow in confidence, discover their strengths and experience the power of teamwork,” he said. “This celebration belongs to the community and to the staff whose dedication makes everything possible.”
He also paid tribute to key partners who have sustained the vision over the years.
“We are grateful to Coca-Cola for helping us mark this moment, and to our founding sponsor, Symbion Power, whose steadfast support has made a decade of positive impact possible.” As JMK Youth Park steps confidently into its second decade, its mission remains clear: Widen access, deepen inclusion and continue harnessing the unifying power of sport as a catalyst for empowerment and community transformation.
