Sports fraternity mourns Mwinyi as his famous quote still inspires many

Dar es Salaam. The entire nation mourns the passing of Mzee Ali Hassan Mwinyi, who was president of the second phase government of Tanzania.

The much-loved former leader of the country will dearly and forever be remembered by the sports fraternity in the country with his once famous quote, "Tanzania’s teams have become a madman's head for everyone wishing to learn how to shave."

Mzee Mwinyi made the remarks on November 27, 1993, following Simba’s 2-0 loss to Stella Club d'Adjamé (Abidjan) of Ivory Coast during the CAF Cup final match at the National Stadium (now the Uhuru Stadium) in Dar es Salaam.

His quote resonated across various sports bodies in Tanzania, serving as a challenge to sport teams in the country to perform well locally and internationally.

Despite Mwinyi's disproval of the quote in 2021 during the Simba Sports Awards, various sports leaders describe how they utilized it as a tool for developing sports in the country.

Tanzania Swimming Association (TSA)

The body took Mwinyi’s words as a challenge to elevate the status of swimming in the country. Despite the sport's lack of popularity at the time, TSA Secretary General Inviolata Itatiro noted that Mwinyi's quote served as a wake-up call to sports leaders to seek international recognition and promote Tanzania's name beyond its borders.

She said his challenge led to investments in swimming, resulting in remarkable achievements such as three wins in the Africa Zone Three Aquatics Championships.

Inviolata attributes Tanzania's rise in swimming to the motivation derived from Mwinyi's comments, demonstrating the enduring impact of his words on sports development.

Tanzania Golf Union (TGU)

TGU acknowledges the late Mwinyi's influence in sports development, particularly in golf. TGU President Gilman Kasiga said Mzee Mwinyi's leadership, during a period of significant political and economic changes, ignited tough decisions necessary for advancing the sport.

He said the quote resonated with the golfing community, encouraging dedication to achieving excellence both locally and internationally.

Kasiga also highlighted Mwinyi's personal commitment to fitness, particularly walking, which served as a model for golfers, where walking is an integral part of the game.

Mwinyi's dedication to exercising inspired players to excel in golf and embody the spirit of perseverance and determination.

Boxing Federation of Tanzania (BFT)

The body recognizes Mwinyi's contribution to sports development through his results-oriented approach.

Secretary General Makore Mashaga emphasized that Mwinyi's inspirational leadership and his memorable quote served as a tool for transforming the sport.

Despite the disappointment of poor results, Mashaga noted that Mwinyi's quote acted as a bridge for change within the boxing community, challenging sportspeople and officials to strive for improvement and success.

He said Mwinyi's quote would continue to resonate across the sports bodies as a symbol of resilience, determination, and the pursuit of excellence in sports.

He added that it served as a reminder of past setbacks, but more importantly, it ignited a sense of determination to overcome challenges and achieve greatness.

Mashaga said Mwinyi's words would remain to serve as a guide for sportsmen and women, officials, and enthusiasts to elevate the country's sporting prowess to the global stage.

Former Simba chairman Ismail Aden Rage

Despite the fact that Rage was the secretary-general of the Dar es Salaam Regional Football Association (DRFA) at the time, he stated that Mzee Mwinyi’s quote significantly changed the direction of the game.

Simba’s former player said although the changes took time to be made, what Mzee Mwinyi said resulted in great achievements, as the country is now celebrating its success.

“Various media outlets used Mzee Mwinyi’s quote to criticize sports leaders and that criticism made us scratch our heads on how we could develop the game and make the country shine,” said Rage.