The National Sports Council (NSC) has called on ambassadors and diplomatic missions in Tanzania to harness the power of sports to strengthen bilateral relations and deepen people-to-people connections between Tanzania and other countries.
The call was made by NSC Senior Sports Officer Charles Maguzu while attending the Judo Ambassador Cup held at Don Bosco Upanga in Dar es Salaam.
Maguzu said the competition, organised through cooperation between the Embassy of Japan in Tanzania and the Judo Association of Tanzania, provided a practical example of how sports can complement traditional diplomatic engagement.
He commended the Japanese Embassy and the Judo Association of Tanzania for organising the tournament, saying it was not only promoting international cooperation but also creating an avenue for identifying, nurturing and developing Judo talent for future national teams.
“Other sports associations should look at the history and origins of the sports they oversee and explore partnerships with embassies of countries where those sports originated. This can create new opportunities for sports development in Tanzania,” he said.
Maguzu said Tanzania could turn the historical links between different sports and their countries of origin into opportunities for stronger international partnerships.
“Every sport has its own history and origin. We can use that connection as an opportunity to build stronger relations with different countries through sports,” he said.
He urged other diplomatic missions to work with national sports associations to organise competitions, training programmes and other initiatives that could benefit both athletes and international relations.
Maguzu also called on sponsors and other stakeholders to increase their support for the Judo Ambassador Cup in future editions, particularly through enhanced cash prizes that could provide greater motivation and financial support for athletes.
He encouraged parents to support their children in taking up Judo, noting that the internationally recognised sport can provide young people with opportunities to compete at the highest level while also opening doors to careers and income-generating opportunities.
The NSC, he said, would continue working with the Judo Association of Tanzania and the Embassy of Japan to expand Judo across the country and strengthen the development of athletes capable of representing Tanzania in national, continental and international competitions.
The initiative underscores the broader role sports can play in Tanzania not only as a vehicle for talent development and youth opportunities, but also as a tool for strengthening diplomatic relations and fostering international cooperation.
