Africa-Press – Tanzania. THE Tanzania Optimist Dinghy Association (TODA) will send six young sailors aged between 10 and 14 years to represent the country in the IODA African Optimist Championships. The event will take place at Morocco Royal Yacht Club in M’Diq, Morocco from May 2nd to 9th this year.
Speaking with ‘Daily News’ the TODA chairman Philimon Nassar said the young sailors have well drilled for the event during a training session between Msasani Bay and Dar es Salaam Yacht Club.
Three of the sailors have already participated in the previous African Championships last year in the competition held in South Africa under the patronage of TODA.
“There are three national team sailors from the Kigamboni Sailing Centre and three others are from the Dar yacht Club. Optimist sailing is specifically for younger sailors aged between 7-15 years and the competition is organised in conjunction with the International Optimist Dinghy Association (IODA).”
“Also, the IODA has encouraged the development of the African Championships to improve African sailing, and whilst the World Championships remain the focal point of the year, continental level championships, including the African Championships form a very important part of the racing calendar,” he said.
He said every year, Tanzania has been attending the sailing competitions in different countries of Africa since 2005 when it was 1st held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The second time it was held in Tanzania in 2012 when 12 countries participated in the event graced by the then Minister for Culture, Arts and Sports.
“Every participating member may send up to 10 sailors, qualified from national level trials. IODA also encourages at least 3 out of the 10-member team to be female sailors in order to encourage the growth of the girls’ fleet,” he said.
He named the sailing squad members as Hamisi Muhidini, the National Coach, Abubakar Mpondi, sailor from Kigamboni Sailing Centre, Ikram Rashid, also sailor from Kigamboni Sailing Centre, Alyah Hart sailor from Dar Yacht Club, Shayaan Powar also sailor from Dar Yacht Club while Mussa Mtulya is a sailor from Kigamboni Sailing Centreyacht and Aaron Karani from Dar Yacht Club.
For More News And Analysis About Tanzania Follow Africa-Press
