The Minister for Information, Youth, Culture and Sports, Dr Fenella Mukangara, has urged youth to utilise to the maximum opportunities brought by the Airtel Rising Stars (ARS) tournament to ensure they excel in life.
Minister for Information, Youth, Culture and Sports, Dr Fenella Mukangara
The minister made the call when opening the Airtel Rising Stars national finals at the Karume Memorial Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
Represented by the ministry’s Deputy Permanent Secretary, Professor Elisante Ole Gabriel, she reminded youth that football is not a sport just for entertainment, but it’s employment and those who are serious generate income which assist them in their development.
“Airtel Rising Stars is a great opportunity for the country’s youth as it keeps them active and puts them away from immoral activities in the society, so youth must make sure they cash in on the chance,” Mukangara said.
The minister also acknowledged the tournament sponsor, Airtel, for giving youth a platform to showcase their talent and directed the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) to make use of the tournament as it will be a key source of players for the national teams, especially women’s outfits.
In opening matches yesterday, Temeke Under-17 girls’ soccer team sounded a warning note to their opponents with an 8-0 win over their Arusha counterparts, while Mwanza boys squeezed a 1-0 win against Kinondoni.
A 42nd minute goal by striker Lazaro Richard is all the Mwanza boys needed to make a good start in the tournament. Temeke girls made a bright start, pressing upfront relentlessly in search of the match opener.
It was just a matter of time before they broke the stalemate. They went one up in the 24th minute when Oppah Clement beat two defenders just outside the penalty box to unleash a sizzling shot that gave Arusha goalkeeper no chance.
Celebrations that greeted the goal had hardly died down when Rose Mpoma made it 2-0 for the Temeke girls three minutes later after a one-two with Oppah Clement. From then on, Temeke took command of the game and went three up a minute later through Oppah off a well-weighed cross by Shamimu Hamisi from the left flank. Shamimu came into the picture again in the 51st minute, this time with a low but tricky shot.
The fifth goal for Temeke came in the 53rd minute when Rosea Mpoma unleashed a thunderbolt that went straight into the yawning net to ensure they launch their ARS campaign with a bang.
Temeke never relaxed and brought more tears to the Arusha camp when Asia Juma scored two more goals a few minutes after the hour mark. She capitalised on defensive lapses to easily beat the Arusha goalkeeper.
Shamimu’s hat trick hit the final pin on the Arusha team coffin a few minutes to time with a close range shot to send the Temeke fans into wild celebrations.
Temeke coach Daudi Siang’a said shortly after the match that his team played in accordance with his instructions and deserved the win. “My team played impressively and deserved the victory,” he said.