Nungwi Member of Parliament (MP), Yussuf Haji Khamis (CUF), has asked the government to come up with a strategy to construct modern stadia across the country in a bid to propel football development.
In his supplementary question, Khamis wanted to know the number of stadia in the country that have full accreditation of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as well as that of the world soccer governing body, FIFA.
“I want to know the number of international standard football venues owned by the government. I will also wish to know if the government is committed to help local clubs secure their own stadiums like it is the case with Azam FC,” he asked.
Responding, Deputy Minister for Information, Youth, Culture and Sports, Juma Nkamia, said so far the country has five stadia that have been approved by CAF and FIFA, naming them as the National Stadium, Uhuru Stadium and Azam Complex all of Dar es Salaam. Others are Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar and CCM Kirumba Stadium in Mwanza.
He said out of the five venues, three are owned by the government, CCM Kirumba is owned by the ruling party Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), while Azam Complex belongs to Bakhresa Group of companies. Nkamia admitted that currently the country has a few football venues that meet international standard.
“This is why we are calling for owners of the existing venues to improve them and ensure they meet the requirements to host international matches.
He said the government has already initiated talks with owners of various stadia in an effort to ensure they improve the standard of their venues, saying CCM has started improving the Sokoine Memorial Stadium in Mbeya, CCM Kirumba and Arusha’s Sheikh Amri Abeid Stadium.
Minister Nkamia also took the opportunity to laud Azam FC for constructing its own state-of-the-art venue, calling for other clubs in the country to borrow leaf.
“It is important for other clubs to establish their own venues as well and I’ve received information that Simba and Young Africans are in the final process to start construction of their own modern venues,” he told the House.
In her supplementary question, Maryam Msabaha (Special Seats – CHADEMA), wanted to know if the government has any plan to revamp the dilapidated Sheikh Amri Abeid Stadium Arusha because the ageing venue is strategically located in the centre of the city, which is the headquarters of the East African Community.
Reacting, Nkamia said the stadium is among venues listed in a programme that will see them renovated to meet international standards. He also said plans are afoot to lay an artificial turf at the Jamhuri Stadium in Dodoma.
By NASONGELYA KILYINGA, Tanzania Daily News