The Dar es Salaam Regional Football Association (DRFA) has set its sights on establishing its regional league as a benchmark for football competitions in Tanzania, with a strong focus on competitiveness, fair play and the development of young talent.
DRFA Chairman Nyambaya announced the ambition during the official opening of the regional league at Kines Stadium in Dar es Salaam, where 19 teams are competing for the title.
The opening fixture between Friends Rangers and Ununio ended in a 1-1 draw, providing an early indication of the competitive challenge facing teams in the new season.
Nyambaya said DRFA was committed to raising the standard of football in Dar es Salaam by strengthening league management and creating opportunities for emerging players to develop their skills and gain valuable match experience.
He also called on football fans to turn out in large numbers to support the participating teams, stressing that strong public support would help promote the league and contribute to the growth of the sport.
“DRFA has worked with clubs to register players under the age of 20 to ensure they meet the competition’s eligibility requirements,” Nyambaya said.
He added that the league would provide young footballers with an important platform to showcase their abilities, improve their performance and gain the experience needed to progress to higher levels of competition.
Meanwhile, DRFA Competitions Committee Chairman Ramadhan Shauritanga urged football stakeholders to increase investment in lower-tier competitions, warning against concentrating resources and attention exclusively on prominent clubs.
Shauritanga said grassroots and regional leagues play a critical role in identifying and nurturing promising players who could eventually strengthen clubs and national teams.
He noted that greater investment in these competitions would help create a stronger foundation for Tanzanian football by giving emerging players more opportunities to develop their potential.
Reflecting on the opening match, Shauritanga said the 1-1 draw between Friends Rangers and Ununio demonstrated the importance of thorough preparation as teams seek to compete effectively throughout the season.
He further emphasised that proper team preparation and effective supervision of referees would be essential to maintaining fairness, discipline and the integrity of the competition.
DRFA’s ambition to raise the league’s standards reflects a broader need to strengthen football development at the grassroots level, where young players can gain competitive experience and prepare for more demanding challenges.
With 19 teams participating, the association hopes the competition will deliver an exciting season while establishing a stronger pathway for talent development and contributing to the long-term growth of football in Tanzania.