Tanzania is set to host the Africa Zone Five Women’s Handball Championships on October 28, with teams from nine countries expected to compete in Dar es Salaam.
The tournament will bring together women’s teams from Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Sudan, South Sudan, Botswana, Djibouti and Ethiopia, according to Tanzania Handball Federation (THF) president Michael Chibawala.
Speaking to The Respondent Online, Mr Chibawala said preparations for the regional competition were progressing, with Tanzania having completed about 80 percent of the work required to host the event.
“We are currently preparing for the championships, which will bring together women’s teams from different countries. On our side, preparations are 80 percent complete,” Mr Chibawala said.
He said THF had written to the government through the National Sports Council (BMT) seeking approval to host the competition, and the request had been granted.
Mr Chibawala said the Tanzanian team would enter a two-week training camp before the tournament as part of preparations to ensure it performs well on home soil.
He said the federation was also seeking support from government institutions that have indoor sports facilities to secure venues for the championships.
The move is aimed at ensuring the tournament runs smoothly, particularly because it is scheduled during the rainy season, he said.
The hosting of the Zone Five championship will give Tanzania an opportunity to compete against teams from across the region while providing local players with international-level competition on home soil.
THF is now working on final preparations ahead of the October 28 tournament, including securing suitable indoor venues and preparing the national team for the competition.