National Sports Council (NSC) Chairman Dioniz Malinzi has urged teams representing the country to be patriotic in the forthcoming East Africa Netball Championship throwing off in Zanzibar this weekend.
National Sports Council (NSC) Chairman, Dioniz Malinzi
Malinzi made the call at a brief ceremony to present the national flag to the Mainland teams that will compete in the event.
The teams are Mbweni JKT, JKT Ruvu and Immigration, whose captains Zakia Kondo, Penina Mayunga and Anitha Elius respectively received the flag.
He said the teams must put patriotism ahead to ensure they safeguard the nation’s integrity at the championship which brings together East African champions.
“I appeal to you to go to Zanzibar to compete and not just to participate and if one of you reach the final, I promise I will come to witness the game,” the NSC boss said.
Tanzania Netball Association (CHANETA) Chairperson Anna Kibira said netball is facing many challenges and urged the government to assist them when they are organising local and international events. She lamented it has continued to be difficult for them to attract sponsors to support them in various competitions.
Hosts Zanzibar will be represented in the event, which will involve women and men’s teams, by Mafunzo, JKU and Zimamoto. The tournament to be held at the Zanzibar Gymkhana Club will also engage teams from Uganda and Kenya.
In another development, Kibira said CHANETA and its Isles counterpart CHANEZA have agreed to utilize the event to pick the national team, Taifa Queens, which will compete in various international tournaments.
The squad will be announced immediately after the championship.
