DODOMA: Parliament has pledged to work closely with the government to ensure Tanzania delivers a successful Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027, as preparations for the continental showpiece gather pace.
Deputy Speaker Daniel Baran Sillo said Parliament was ready to support government efforts ahead of the tournament, which Tanzania will co-host with Kenya and Uganda under the AFCON PAMOJA 2027 arrangement.
Sillo was speaking during the Parliament-NMB Sports Bonanza in Dodoma, an initiative organised by NMB Bank in collaboration with Parliament to promote physical fitness, healthy lifestyles and institutional cooperation.
He said sports provide an important platform for bringing people and institutions together, while also contributing to a healthier and more productive workforce.
NMB Chief of Retail and Business Banking, Filbert Mponzi, said the bank organised the bonanza to promote a culture of exercise among leaders and employees.
“We want sports to become part of the workplace culture and improve the way we serve citizens,” Mr Mponzi said.
The bonanza brought together Members of Parliament, government ministries and officials from various institutions, with organisers also using the event to raise awareness about the growing burden of non-communicable diseases.
Chairman of the Parliament Sports Bonanza and Makete MP, Festo Sanga, said the event demonstrated how sports could be used to strengthen cooperation while encouraging people to make physical exercise part of their daily lives.
“Sports bring people together and create an opportunity to promote healthy lifestyles and fight non-communicable diseases,” he said.
Meanwhile, East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) Member Machano Ali Machano said the East African Community (EAC) Parliamentary Games scheduled for Arusha in December 2026 would provide another opportunity to deepen regional cooperation through sports.
The games are expected to bring together legislators from EAC member states, further strengthening people-to-people ties ahead of AFCON 2027.
The Parliament-NMB initiative adds momentum to broader efforts to use sports not only as a tool for recreation, but also to promote health, unity and cooperation as Tanzania prepares to host one of Africa’s biggest sporting events.