The Fire and Rescue Force volleyball team has emerged from the National Security and Defence Forces Sports Championships (BAMMATA) with renewed confidence after an impressive run that saw it finish fifth in Mwanza.
Coach Edwin Masinga said the team's performance against more experienced opponents had strengthened the players' belief that they can compete for top honours in future editions of the championships.
The team was among the sides that competed in the tournament, eventually securing a top-five finish and a place among the 10 best-performing teams.
Masinga said the players grew in confidence as the tournament progressed, producing increasingly competitive performances against teams with a stronger history in BAMMATA.
“We entered the competition with confidence and showed a level of competitiveness that surprised some teams with more experience in these championships,” Masinga said.
He said the team's previous record had meant that it was not widely regarded as a serious contender before the tournament.
However, its performance in Mwanza helped change that perception and demonstrated that the Fire and Rescue Force can challenge established teams.
“Before the tournament, our history made many people feel that our team did not have much of a chance. But what we achieved later surprised many, who could hardly believe it was the Fire and Rescue team,” he said.
Captain Constable Patrick Mhidze said the players' determination and growing morale were key factors behind their performance.
“The spirit and morale among us players improved as the competition progressed, and that is something we should be proud of,” Mhidze said.
Team manager Assistant Superintendent Elinimo Shang’a said the team would use the experience gained in Mwanza to prepare for future competitions.
He said continued participation in BAMMATA would expose the players to stronger competition while helping them identify areas that need improvement.
“Our goal is to keep improving through these competitions and eventually win the BAMMATA championship in the coming years,” Shang’a said.
The fifth-place finish gives the Fire and Rescue Force a strong platform to build on as it seeks to close the gap on the tournament's leading volleyball teams.