By Victoria Godfrey
Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Paul Makonda, has warned that regional and district sports leaders who fail to organise and promote sporting activities will be held accountable, saying those who neglect sports development should step aside for more committed officials.
Speaking at the opening of the National Basketball Taifa Cup at Chinangali Park in Dodoma, Makonda said the performance of sports administrators would be reviewed after the tournament, with particular attention on regions that failed to participate.
He said the absence of sports programmes over an entire year reflected poor leadership and denied young people opportunities to develop their talents.
"If a region or district has gone a whole year without organising any sporting activities, its leaders should hand over their offices to those who are ready to advance sports," Makonda said.
The minister said the government had grown concerned about officials who use their positions for personal gain instead of supporting youth development through sports.
He noted that public funds have been allocated to facilitate regional leagues, but some leaders have failed to ensure the resources are translated into meaningful sporting programmes.
Meanwhile, Tanzania Basketball Federation (TBF) President Hasheem Thabiti said the federation had committed TZS 10 million to each region to support the organisation of regional basketball leagues.
He said only Dar es Salaam, Dodoma and Mwanza had so far met part of the eligibility requirements and would each receive an initial TZS 3 million disbursement.
The remaining funds, he said, would be released after the regions fulfil all the federation's conditions.
Thabiti encouraged officials from other regions to emulate the three regions that had met the requirements, saying active regional leagues are essential for expanding participation and strengthening the sport nationwide.
He said TBF's long-term strategy is to establish sustainable basketball structures in every region, beginning with children's and youth competitions, to create a stronger talent pipeline capable of raising Tanzania's competitiveness on the international stage.
Thabiti also announced plans to introduce national basketball awards to recognise outstanding players, coaches and other stakeholders, describing the initiative as part of broader efforts to motivate excellence and accelerate the growth of basketball across the country.
