The first ever international ‘Race to Matema’ event scheduled for October 26 this year in Rungwe and Kyela districts, Mbeya Region, has received a timely boost from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism.
Fredrick Manning, member of organising committee, told the ‘Daily News’ in the city that the ministry assured them full supports at last week’s meeting.
“We’re keen on using the cycling race to promoting Mbeya-based tourist attractions like Kitulo National Park, Bridge of God and Matema Beach, we arranged a meeting with officials from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism,” he said.
“As expected, they understood our objective and promised to working hand in hand with us in achieving our goal,” he added. Manning said the committee saw it wise to involve all other interested parties in the event so as to make to ensure its success.
It recently met with the Minister of Information, Youth, Culture and Sports, Dr. Fenella Mukangara. About 300 participants, of them 100 from Tanzania, while take part in race organised jointly by Image Profession (IP) of Dar es Salaam and Mbeya Region Tourism Committee.
The rest will come from other parts of the world including Asia, Africa, America and Europe. Manning said that as the race will involve people from outside the country, they will need technical support from the relevant ministries to ensure protocol is observed during the end to preserve the good name of Tanzania.
The race to cover about 126 kilometres will be flagged off in Isanga Village in Mwakaleli, Rungwe District and will pass through Suma Bridge, Katumba, Tukuyu Town, Ushirika, Kiwira, Itope, Ipinda, Rufilyo before climaxing at Matema in Kyela District. It aims at introducing and promoting cycling to local communities and unearth talent throughout the country. It will also promote the ‘Matema Beach Festival’ to the rest of the world.
Source Tanzania Daily News