Tanzania’s national woodball team has travelled to Kenya for the African Woodball Championships, using the continental tournament as a key test ahead of the World Championships in Taiwan later this year.
The competition starts today at Mount Kenya University and runs until September 22, bringing together teams from Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi and South Sudan.
For Tanzania, the tournament offers players an opportunity to measure themselves against regional competitors and sharpen their preparations for the World Woodball Championships scheduled for Taiwan in December.
Tanzania Woodball Association chairman Winjuka Makunza said the team’s participation was made possible through support from the Government and expressed confidence that the players would represent the country well.
“We thank the Government for standing with us and supporting this journey. We believe we will represent Tanzania with honour,” Mr Makunza said during the team’s send-off.
The squad has players from different regions, including Kigoma and Dodoma, highlighting the spread of woodball beyond its traditional centres and the association’s efforts to develop the sport across the country.
National Sports Council (BMT) senior sports officer Charles Maguzu congratulated the players and officials for their preparations, urging them to approach the competition with discipline and commitment.
“We congratulate the players and ask you to carry the national flag with pride. Work together on the field, play with honesty and patriotism, and give your best to bring honour to our country,” he said.
Mr Maguzu said woodball was among the sports gaining ground in Tanzania, with the national team now getting opportunities to compete at international level.
He challenged the players to build on the progress made by other Tanzanian national teams and return from Kenya with lessons that can strengthen their preparations for the December world championships.
The African championships therefore provide Tanzania with both a regional competitive test and an opportunity to identify areas requiring improvement before the team heads to Taiwan.
The participation also underscores the growing presence of woodball in Tanzania, with players from various regions now forming part of the national team competing on the international stage.