More than 1,000 participants drawn from Parliament, 14 ministries and 10 public institutions are expected to take part in the NMB Bunge Bonanza 2026 in Dodoma tomorrow, as organisers seek to use sport to promote healthier lifestyles and improve workplace productivity.
The event, scheduled for Saturday, August 29, at John Merlini Secondary School grounds, has received a TZS 210 million sponsorship package from NMB Bank Plc, including sports equipment for the participating teams.
Bunge Bonanza chairman and Makete MP Festo Sanga said this year’s event had attracted a wider participation following an invitation by Speaker of Parliament Mussa Azzan Zungu to 14 ministries and 10 other public institutions.
He said the growing participation demonstrated the importance attached to sport as a tool for promoting physical fitness, social interaction and teamwork among public servants.
“This year, the Speaker has invited 14 ministries and 10 institutions, so we expect participation to be higher than in previous editions,” Mr Sanga said.
He said although teams would compete for honours, the bonanza’s wider objective was to encourage workers to make physical exercise part of their daily lives.
“The competition is important, but our main goal is to encourage workers to exercise, strengthen unity and raise awareness about preventing non-communicable diseases,” he said.
NMB Senior Manager for Government Business, Vicky Bishubo, said the bank’s support was based on the important role sport plays in promoting good health, teamwork and productivity.
She said NMB viewed investment in sports as part of efforts to support a healthier and more productive workforce.
The sponsorship package includes balls, trophies, tracksuits, T-shirts and medals to support the various sporting activities.
The event is expected to bring together teams from Parliament, ministries, public institutions and NMB, setting the stage for competitive encounters while providing an opportunity for participants to interact outside their usual working environment.
Mr Sanga said the bonanza would also help strengthen working relationships among public institutions through sport.
Speaker Zungu is expected to officiate as the guest of honour.
Ahead of the main competitions, MPs will participate in a walk starting at the Institute of Rural Development Planning (IRDP) at 6am, highlighting the organisers’ emphasis on physical fitness and preventive health.
The event comes amid growing calls for greater awareness and prevention of non-communicable diseases, with regular physical activity recognised as one of the key measures for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.