Geay’s call to organisers of Tanzania’s athletic events

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s Boston Marathon silver medalist Gabriel Geay has called upon sports promoters in the country to stage events with specific purposes.

Geay made the call after he had spiced up this year’s Run 4 Autism Tanzania half marathon held in Dar es Salaam recently.

The marathoner said that the Run 4 Autism half marathon has distinguished itself from many races in the country, asking the community to increasingly support it.

Geay, who featured in the five kilometer walk together with the guest of honour, Health minister Ummy Mwalimu, said that the greater participation of the community in the race will be successful to a large extent in helping children with autism get treatment as well as improving the education sector.

"This is more than a race, we have seen how people were motivated to participate to help this group, and we know that poverty is the current situation. I expect the next event will feature more people than this year’s; I hope it will double the number," said Geay.

The event saw Doris Kasubi win the top spot after clocking 20:18.12 and Elyson Lyimo recording 18:12.06 to win the 2.5 km race championship for children with disabilities.

In the five kilometer race, Elizabeth Mbwilo was the winner after clocking 36.16 while the runner-up was Lightness Mathayo, who recorded 37.4 and the third-placed was Amina Madasi , who clocked 32.14. In the boys’ five kilometre race, Brian Masawe was the winner of the event and was followed by Dominica Balama and King Kasalika was placed third.

In the 10km race, Elikarim Japhet was the winner after clocking 31.47 and the runner-up was Elibarick Buko (31.56) and was followed by Emmanuel Josephat, who recorded 32.11.

In the five km race for girls, Pendo Mussa was the winner and the runner-up was Yasinta Lameck and Neema Saimon was the third placed. In the 21km race, Fatuma Malenga emerged the winner after clocking 1:28.36, followed by Lisa Marwa (1:40.57) and Irene Ngowi who clocked 1:57.

In men, Nelson Priva from JKU Zanzibar won the race after clocking 1:09.28, followed by Jamal Said (1:10.7) and Omary Maulid (1:11.12). Speaking at the closing ceremony, Ummy said the presence of the marathon to help people with autism is a comfort and will help reduce stigma. "A parent does not choose to give birth to a child with autism, but we have to accept in society that we have children with autism, so we should love and support them," she said.

The body chairman of the Lukiza Autism Institute, Edward Kija, said the aim of the event is to reduce stigma for children with autism in the country.