Tanzanians have been urged to continue supporting and praying for the national athletics team as it prepares to compete in the African Athletics Championships finals, set to take place tomorrow in Accra, Ghana.
Tanzania will be represented by two athletes in the continental showdown: Cecilia Panga, who will compete in the women’s 1500 metres, and Mao Hando, who will take part in the men’s 5000 metres.
Speaking to The Respondent Online, the President of the Athletics Federation of Tanzania, Rogath Stephen, said the main focus is to ensure the national flag is proudly represented on the continental stage through strong performances from the athletes.
He expressed confidence in the duo, noting that they have undergone thorough preparation and are ready to compete against some of the strongest runners in Africa.
“We have prepared them to go and compete strongly, but most importantly we ask for your prayers and continued support to motivate our team,” he said.
Rogath added that national encouragement plays a key role in boosting athletes’ morale, especially in high-level competitions where pressure and competition intensity are high.
He said the federation believes the athletes selected have the potential to deliver commendable results for the country.
Meanwhile, the federation has announced changes to the national athletics championships calendar. The event, which was initially scheduled for May 29 to 31, has been postponed and will now be held on July 3 and 4 at Filbert Bayi School in Coast Region.
Rogath Stephen said the adjustment was caused by circumstances beyond the federation’s control. He added that the new dates will give regional teams additional time to prepare and improve their competitiveness ahead of national-level selection.
The African Athletics Championships finals are expected to attract top talent from across the continent, presenting a significant challenge and opportunity for Tanzania’s representatives as they aim to perform well and elevate the country’s standing in international athletics.
