A total of 165 participants have successfully benefited from specialized basketball coaching training for children under seven, held recently in Dar es Salaam and Morogoro regions.
The program, organized by the Ukonga Sports Club in collaboration with a sports institute from Denmark, took place at different times across the two regions, targeting both men and women eager to develop grassroots basketball talent.
Speaking to The Respondent Online, the training coordinator, Bahati Mgunda, said 100 participants were from Morogoro, while 65 came from Dar es Salaam.
He emphasized that the initiative aims to equip coaches with the skills to properly mentor young children, who are considered the future stars of Tanzania’s national basketball teams.
“Our objective was to train these coaches to identify and nurture the potential of young children, particularly those in primary schools. With basketball now included in UMITASHUMTA competitions, this training provides a timely opportunity, especially for participants who are primary school teachers,” Mgunda explained.
The training covered fundamental coaching techniques, talent spotting, and strategies to develop children’s skills from an early age. Participants also gained practical experience through hands-on sessions with young players.
One of the trainees, Asunta Luena, urged more women to participate in such programs to enhance their expertise and contribute to the growth of sports in the country.
Luena shared her plans to use the knowledge gained to coach young players and help uncover their talents.
“I am very grateful for this training. It has not only strengthened my existing knowledge but also introduced new techniques that I can apply when teaching children. I am committed to putting these lessons into practice to guide and develop young athletes,” Luena said.
The program reflects a growing focus on grassroots sports development in Tanzania, with initiatives like this helping to build a strong foundation for future national athletes while promoting gender inclusivity in coaching roles.