The government has challenged Team Tanzania to improve the country's medal tally at the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, urging athletes to compete with determination and make the nation proud.
Speaking during the official flag-off ceremony in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday, National Sports Council (NSC) Executive Secretary Neema Msitha said Tanzania has participated in the Commonwealth Games for decades but needs to achieve stronger results.
"We have won medals in previous editions, but this time we expect more. It is time to improve our performance and rankings. Tanzanians have great hope in you, and your success will inspire the younger generation to pursue excellence in sports," Msitha said.
She encouraged the athletes to compete with discipline and commitment, saying they carry the country's aspirations onto the international stage.
Team Tanzania's Chef de Mission, Henry Tandau, expressed confidence in the squad, saying the selected athletes have the ability to deliver medals.
"We believe you have what it takes to make Tanzania proud in Scotland. I know the capabilities of many of you, and I am confident you will perform well," Tandau said.
The first contingent, comprising the boxing team and the Chef de Mission, is scheduled to depart on Monday, while the remaining athletes will travel later.
Tanzania will field competitors in four sports—athletics, boxing, judo and swimming—at the Games, which will run from July 23 to August 3.
The athletics team includes Hamida Mussa, Josephat Gisemo, Sinda Daniel, Cecilia Panga, Winfrida Makenji and Ferdinand Rasisim.
Tanzania's judo representatives are Andrew Mlungu and Ibrahim Hamisi, while the boxing squad consists of Yusuph Changalawe, Issa Faki and Zawadi Amosi. Collins Saliboko will compete in swimming.
Tanzania has participated in the Commonwealth Games since 1962 and has traditionally enjoyed its greatest success in athletics and boxing.
At the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, the country returned to the medal podium for the first time since 2006, winning one silver and two bronze medals.
Long-distance runner Alphonce Felix Simbu claimed silver, while boxers Kassim Mbundwike and Yusuph Changalawe secured bronze medals.
The government hopes this year's team will build on that achievement by bringing home an even bigger medal haul from Glasgow.
