Bakhresa Group of Companies donated $93,000 (about 150m/-) to ‘Team Tanzania’ that will take part in the 20th edition of the Commonwealth Games opening in Glasgow, Scotland on July 23, this year.
The Deputy Minister for Information, Youth, Culture and Sports, Juma Nkamia TOP – right), receives a dummy cheque for 93,000 US dollars from Bakhresa Group General Manager, Said Muhammad Said Abeid, in Dar es Salaam yesterday. The money will assist ‘Team Tanzania’ at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. Looking on (second right) is the ministry’s Deputy Permanent Secretary, Prof Elisante Ole Gabriel. (Photo by FRANK KIMARO)
The company’s representative, Nassor Iddrissa, presented a dummy cheque to the Deputy Minister for Information, Youth, Culture and Sports, Juma Nkamia, at the ministry’s headquarters in Dar es Salaam.
Nkamia acknowledged the company’s support, which will be utilised among others, to pay allowances for the Chinese experts, who were in the country to train the athletes for the Games.
He said part of the money will also be used to pay for hotel bills where the experts were accommodated so as to ensure that they stay in the country comfortably. The deputy minister also said with the money they had been offered by the company the athletes left yesterday for Glasgow loaded.
“Our athletes left the country without any financial problems,” he said but also urged other sports stakeholders to continue contributing to the team.
On his side, Iddrissa said that their role is to give back to the society part of the profit they get by assisting various social activities such as sports.
He promised that his firm will continue to support the government in developing sports in the country He also challenged the athletes to give their best shot at the Games and win honours for the country.
Team Tanzania left on Wednesday evening for Glasgow and team manager, Muharami Mchume, said that they hope the contingent will travel safely and will do their best at the Games.
Recently, Tanzania embarked on ‘sport diplomacy’ to enable its athletes to perform better and bring in medals from international events, including the Commonwealth Games.
Through the programme, almost 50 athletes and 16 coaches went for training in China, Ethiopia, Turkey and New Zealand. According to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Bernard Membe, the diplomacy is meant to help develop sports by sending local athletes to other countries and learn new tactics to improve their performance.
Tanzania’s contingent to Glasgow include boxing team made up of eight boxers — Selemani Kidunda, Nasser Mafuru, Ezra Paul, Ahmed Furahisha, Mohamed Hakimu, Joseph Martine, Emmilian Patrick and Gaudence Fabian. Their trainers are Mzonge Hassan and Jonas Mwakipesile.
Athletics team members are Imani James, Wilson Peter, Fabiano Nelson, Alphonce Felix, Wibardo Malley and Bazil John, while Fabian Joseph and Leonard John will join them from Ethiopia, where they are undergoing intensive training. The team coach is Suleiman Nyambui.
Swimming team has Hillary Hillary, Amaar Ghadiyal and Magdalena Mosha, while Judokas are Aboubakar Nzige, Andrew Thomas, Mbarouk Selemani and Geofrey Mtawa, who are under the tutelage of Zaidi Hamisi.
Table Tennis team has Agnes Ngodoki, Mwamvita Mohamed, Neema Mwaifyula, Masoud Mtalaso, Yahya Mungirwa, Amoni Tumaini and Ramadhani Othman.
Cycling team, which is trained by Jacks Mhagama, comprises Emmanuel Filemon and Richard Lazer, who is currently in Switzerland and is expected to join the rest of team members in Glasgow.
By COSMAS MLEKANI, Tanzania Daily News