Flora Mkoloma
On November 23, 2024, Tanzania’s Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, Abdallah Ulega, inaugurated the 6th edition of the “Ladies First” event at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
This year’s event brings together 155 women athletes from each of Tanzania’s 31 regions, celebrating women’s participation and empowerment through sports.
During his remarks, Chief Representative of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Mr. ARA Hitoshi emphasized JICA and National Sports Council (NSC)’s dedication to empowering women through sports, expressing confidence that the event would provide a platform for women athletes to showcase their talents, inspire others, and strengthen the message of gender equality and women’s empowerment.
In addition to the main competition, the event includes seven side activities promoting these values and fostering a spirit of community and achievement.
“Since the Ladies First event began in 2017, we have witnessed remarkable progress. Some of the athletes who excel here are annually selected to compete in the prestigious Nagai Marathon in Japan, where they face off against world-class runners,” Mr. Ara shared.
The morning kicked off with an exhilarating warm-up session, featuring a 5-kilometer jog and aerobics around Uhuru Stadium. This side event, open to participants and joggers from the Temeke District, aimed to promote “Ladies First” by celebrating fitness, unity, and joy in physical activity. The Japanese Ambassador joined local joggers and students, adding excitement and camaraderie to the experience.
After the jog, participants moved onto the stadium’s field for a dynamic aerobics session set to lively music, creating an atmosphere filled with energy, smiles, and laughter.
To elevate the excitement, renowned Bongo Fleva artist Lina Sanga and popular singeli singer Barobari delivered vibrant performances, delighting the crowd—especially the young athletes and children.
The “Ladies First” event will continue until November 26, and the public is warmly invited to join in the celebration and support Tanzania’s talented women athletes as they compete.
