Why Simba face obstacle to shift to Amaan Stadium
What you need to know:
- Simba previously used the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, which is currently undergoing renovation and is expected to be completed in August.
Dar es Salaam. Despite the fact that the Zanzibar Football Federation (ZFF) has said that there are no obstacles for Simba to use the New Amaan Sports Complex for its league matches, the Tanzania Premier League Board (TPLB) regulations prohibit the club from using the Zanzibar stadium for local competitions.
Simba previously used the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, which is currently undergoing renovation and is expected to be completed in August.
Although no official statement has been released by Simba regarding plans to shift its matches to the New Amaan Sports Complex, Zanzibar Football Federation (ZFF) secretary-general Hussein Ahmad Vuai confirmed receiving a letter from the Msimbazi Street giants requesting the venue for its league and international matches.
In addition to Vuai, TPLB Chief Executive Officer Almasi Kasongo also confirmed to The Citizen that they have received a letter from the club requesting them to endorse using the Zanzibar venue for their league matches. Speaking with The Citizen over the telephone yesterday, Vuai said that they essentially have no issue with Simba using the New Amaan Sports Complex as long as they adhere to all directives. “We have received a letter from Simba requesting to use the New Amaan Sports Complex for their league matches. We cannot prohibit them, as the stadium is free to be used by Tanzanian clubs that will be ready to follow our procedures."
"Simba’s move will not affect our league matches because we have other venues like Mao Tse Tung and others around Amaan Sports Complex. As the football governing body, we will plan how both Simba and Zanzibar league matches will be handled without interference,” said Vuai. However, regulations from the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) and TPLB appear to pose obstacles for Simba to shift to Zanzibar to play its league matches.
TFF-TPLB Section 9(4) of the regulations states, “If any team does not have a suitable home stadium for the Mainland Tanzania Premier League match, it may choose another stadium in a nearby city or region within Mainland Tanzania with acceptable qualities and must be subjected to confirmation or approval by the TFF."
TPLB’s Chief Executive Officer, Almasi Kasongo, said that they will discuss the matter with Simba and later give the final decision. “The league regulations are for the benefit of the clubs and not otherwise, and that’s why we normally meet with them before the league starts and discuss them. We have received Simba’s letter; we will discuss it and give the verdict as per regulations,” said Kasongo.
