Six more teams have shown interest in participating in this year’s Muungano volleyball championship scheduled for April 21-26 in Zanzibar.
Tanzania Amateur Volleyball Association (TAVA) Chairman Augustine Agapa told the ‘Daily News on Saturday’ in Dar es Salaam that they have received several requests from Mainland teams to feature in the historic event.
Agapa said that the tournament, which will feature men and women’s teams, is a special one as it marks 50 years of Tanganyika and Zanzibar Union.
“This is historical event which will mark 50 years of the Union, so many teams want to be part of it. As TAVA we don’t have any objection and the door is open to any team that wish to participate,” he said.
Agapa said that so far ten Mainland teams — six men’s and four women’s — are preparing for the tournament. Jeshi Stars and Magereza (men’s and women’s teams), Mzinga of Morogoro and Dodoma (men only) have confirmed participation.
Moro Stars (men), Makongo Secondary School (men and women), Lord Barden of Bagamoyo (women) and JKT (men and women) have shown interest in taking part in the tournament, but have not yet confirmed their entries.
Agapa said the Mainland teams will be joined by Mafunzo and JKU (both men and women) from Zanzibar. “We are delighted that several teams have shown interest to join the tournament this year…the door remains open to others as this is a special event,” he said.
“We also want to make it successful,” he added. Referees Committee Chairman Silaju Mwasha said that they have sent invitations to participating teams, to pick referees for a national refresher course that will run concurrently with the tournament in Zanzibar.
By MBONILE BURTON, Tanzania Daily News