AfricaPress-Tanzania: EAST African Community (EAC) countries Kenya, Uganda and hosts Tanzania are among nine countries that have confirmed to participate in Africa Kabaddi Championship.
The tournament was due to be held last year, before being postponed twice to April 6-10 this year in Dar es Salaam.
Organised by TKSA collaboration with Africa Kabaddi Confederation (AKC), the annual continental Championship brings together top men’s and women’s teams. Abdallah Nyoni, who is a TKSA chairman told the ‘Sunday News’ in Dar es Salaam on Saturday that they are delighted to have nine teams in the tournament’s bandwagon.
“Preparation for the Africa Kabaddi Championship is going well, we have three EAC countries (Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania) among them,” said Nyoni. He named other countries that have confirmed as Cameroon, Mauritius, Ghana, Nigeria, Zimbabwe and Egypt.
Nyoni stressed that the latest changes had been decided during the last week meeting held for the member countries to participate. He pointed out among the reasons behind the changes is due to ongoing coronavirus pandemic outbreak.
“Members countries had decided for the changes because some countries are still in lockdown due to COVID-19 crisis,” he added.
Nyoni said they optimist that by April things might be well to host the first big event as country is among safe places. He however, said that Tanzania like any other countries will benefit from latest changes in term of preparing national teams.
National men’s and women’s teams entered residential camp in mid-December to prepare for the same. Nyoni said over 34 players who are at camp are doing well and gearing up for the same event. The camp according to Nyoni has been sponsored by association patron Adarsh Sharma a Managing Director of Demeter Insurance Company and Munawar from Pangani Pure Drinking Water.
Adding Nyoni said that the teams are still looking for the support for smooth preparation and participation.
“The door is open for those who wish to assist association and teams, support can be material or cash. We urge sport’s well-wishers, companies and institutions to come forward and support us,” he said.
