Step up or step out: Makonda sends tough message to Tanzania basketball leaders

Tanzania basketball administrators have received a stern wake-up call following comments from Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Paul Makonda, who has challenged them to show commitment to the sport or step aside.

Known for his integral and hands-on approach in sports development, Makonda told basketball authorities to shape up, put up, or get out. Not biting his tongue or mincing words, Makonda puts the spotlight firmly on administrators for the disarray of Tanzanian basketball ahead of Tanzania's Taifa Cup basketball tournament.

"The sports that want to remain where they are should prove they are committed or step aside for new blood," Makonda said.

"For basketball, let the responsible bodies send their teams for the Taifa Cup. If they don't send their teams, then they should step aside."

The Taifa Cup will be Tanzania's premier basketball tournament of 2026 and offers administrators a chance to prove their commitment to growing the sport at home. However, the drumbeats are only getting louder: stepping up efforts is nothing new in Tanzanian sport, but Makonda's bold pronouncement has ignited conversation around where basketball goes from here.

Taifa Cup becomes a test of basketball commitment

Basketball is one of Tanzania's most popular sports after football and continues to see robust participation at the grassroots level, particularly in urban centers. Coached by Egyptian Lasheen Tharwat, the Tanzania women's national basketball team is the Twiga Stars and regularly competes in FIBA Africa Women's competitions.

The Taifa Basketball League has offered a domestic route for talented players to continue their basketball careers, while below that there are schools, clubs, and district competitions. Key officials and administrators have expressed concern about the lack of growth and investment in Tanzanian basketball over the years. Better competitions, more visibility, notoriety, coverage on Tanzania betting sites on bettingtop10.com, and clearer development pathways have been common themes among those involved in the sport.

But the Taifa Cup presents a timely opportunity to change the conversation and prove basketball leaders can follow through on their responsibility to the sport.

Leadership under the spotlight

In his remarks, Makonda touched on a common thread among sports administrators in Tanzania: proving you have what it takes to lead. In basketball, football, athletics, and boxing, among other sports in Tanzania, leaders have been criticized when progress appears to slow or stall.

Makonda has consistently shown support for sports and athletes in Tanzania and made it clear that he feels responsible administrators should be doing more to help their respective sports.

Included in that work are:

1. Developing grassroots programs
2. Ensuring competitions are taking place
3. Helping clubs
4. Improving national teams
5. Basketball's next chapter

The future of Tanzanian basketball is still very much up for debate, but what is certain is that the appetite to watch and play basketball in Tanzania remains high. Basketball continues to draw huge crowds across the country, especially in Zanzibar. Successful Tanzanian basketball athletes have also represented the nation on the continent and beyond.

The sport needs strong administrators and stakeholders who can push for more sponsorship and help navigate a challenging sports landscape. Everyone connected to basketball in Tanzania can agree on that.

Where basketball goes from here remains to be seen. However, it is a slam dunk about what needs to happen. The onus is now on administrators to prove they have what it takes or relinquish control to those who do.