Netball coaches in Tanzania have been urged to put into practice the skills and knowledge they acquire during training programmes in order to strengthen the development of the sport across the country.
The call was made by National Sports Council (BMT) Sports Officer Ingrid Kimario while speaking on behalf of the council’s Chief Executive Officer, Neema Msitha, during a netball coaching course currently taking place at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
Kimario said training programmes will only have real impact if the knowledge gained is applied in coaching sessions, talent identification and player development rather than being left unused after participants receive their certificates.
She urged the coaches to use the skills they acquire to nurture emerging talent, particularly among young players, noting that this is essential for raising the standard of netball in Tanzania.
“These trainings will only be meaningful if the knowledge gained is put into practice. We need coaches who will go back to their communities and train players with commitment in order to improve the level of this sport,” she said.
Kimario also noted that netball is a sport that requires both mental focus and physical strength, as well as strong teamwork among players and coaches.
She therefore encouraged coaches to work collectively and remain committed to identifying and developing new talent that can represent the country at higher levels of competition.
For her part, Chairperson of the Tanzania Netball Association (CHANETA), Stella Mwangomale, said the training has attracted more than 56 participants from different regions of the country.
She described the programme as an important investment in the future of netball, emphasizing that its success will depend on how effectively participants apply the skills and knowledge they have acquired.
“It is encouraging to see the strong response and commitment from participants since the first day of the training. This shows that there is genuine determination to improve the standard of netball in Tanzania,” she said.
Mwangomale added that CHANETA will continue working closely with various stakeholders to ensure that coaches receive quality training that will support the development of the sport from grassroots level to the international stage.
Meanwhile, one of the trainers, Elihakim Christopher, expressed optimism about the future of netball in Tanzania, saying the current training initiatives are laying a solid foundation for the country’s success in international competitions.
“What we are doing now is building a strong foundation for the future. In the coming years we expect Tanzania to perform well internationally and even compete in major tournaments such as the Netball World Cup,” he said.
Participants in the training have also pledged to apply the knowledge and skills they have gained in order to help develop the sport and identify new talents across the country.
The training programme is being conducted by Ugandan coach Mugisha Ally in collaboration with local trainers Elihakim Christopher and Shilla Mwanchese.
