The President of the Tanzania Basketball Federation (TBF), Hasheem Thabeet, has presented a special commemorative jersey to former England international football star Rio Ferdinand during a special event held in Dar es Salaam.
The occasion brought together players from Dar City basketball team and Ferdinand in a friendly gathering and shared dinner aimed at strengthening sporting ties between Tanzania and the United Kingdom.
The meeting formed part of broader efforts to enhance cooperation in sports development, talent exposure, and international networking.
During the event, Thabeet said the engagement reflects a growing commitment to elevate basketball in Tanzania through strategic partnerships with global sports figures and institutions.
He noted that such collaborations are important in attracting investment into sports and expanding opportunities for young athletes across the country.
He added that the focus is not only on promoting basketball but also on building a stronger sports ecosystem that can benefit multiple disciplines.
According to him, exposure to international best practices will help Tanzanian athletes improve performance and compete at higher levels.
Discussions during the gathering also highlighted the importance of structured youth development programmes.
Leaders explored ways to strengthen talent identification systems, improve training facilities, and introduce modern approaches to athlete development, including the use of technology in coaching and performance tracking.
Both sides further emphasized the need to establish sustainable training systems that can support athletes from grassroots level through to professional stages.
They also discussed the introduction of sports clinics, mentorship programmes, and international exchange initiatives that would allow young Tanzanian athletes to gain experience abroad while also hosting foreign experts locally.
The Tanzania Basketball Federation Tanzania Basketball Federation said the engagement aligns with its long-term strategy of expanding partnerships and strengthening the development of basketball in the country.
The federation noted that such interactions play a key role in inspiring young players and raising the profile of the sport nationally.
The event in Dar es Salaam is seen as part of ongoing efforts to connect Tanzanian sports with global networks and create a more competitive and sustainable environment for future athletes.
