The newly launched Dunda Semi-Pro League has been hailed as a major step forward for the development of boxing in Tanzania, with sports stakeholders describing it as a platform that will transform young fighters into professional athletes through a more structured and competitive system.
Speaking during the official opening of the league at Coco Beach in Dar es Salaam on May 25, 2026, the Executive Secretary of the National Sports Council (NSC), Neema Msitha, said the initiative would bridge the gap between amateur and professional boxing in the country.
She praised the organisers for introducing a league that focuses on nurturing talent while preparing boxers for the demands of professional competition.
“The Dunda Semi-Pro League will serve as an important pathway for talented boxers by giving them the experience, discipline and exposure needed before joining the professional ranks,” she said.
According to Msitha, the league will also help address long-standing challenges facing Tanzanian boxing, particularly the tendency of some fighters to move directly from amateur boxing into the professional arena without proper preparation.
“This is a positive development for the sport because it will not only produce quality boxers but also ensure athletes are fully prepared before entering professional boxing,” she added.
The launch of the league gained international attention after world boxing champion Terence Crawford officially unveiled the competition during his visit to Tanzania.
Crawford described the initiative as a significant opportunity for young Tanzanian fighters to sharpen their skills and gain international recognition.
He noted that Tanzania is increasingly attracting global attention as one of Africa’s emerging destinations for sports talent development, adding that the new league could become a strong foundation for producing internationally competitive boxers.
The event attracted hundreds of boxing fans, trainers and sports stakeholders, many of whom expressed optimism that Crawford’s involvement would inspire a new generation of Tanzanian fighters and elevate the profile of professional boxing in the country.
Observers believe the presence of one of the world’s leading boxing figures could also create opportunities for local fighters to secure international exposure and participate in major global bouts.
Following the launch, Crawford visited Mafia Gym to meet local fighters and coaches before travelling to Arusha as part of his ongoing visit to Tanzania, where he is expected to tour the Serengeti National Park.
