Youth sports the way out, says Kikwete

Mwanza. Tanzania’s new generation of sports stars could come from Malya Institute of Sports Development, thanks to a directive by President Jakaya Kikwete.

Kikwete wants the institution to be a grooming pool of players who, with good education and vast sports knowledge, will be able to excel internationally and join the list of world beaters.

Launching an indoor stadium at the institution’s premises in Kwimba District yesterday, the President instructed the organisation to erect a modern sports academy for talented youngsters striving to excel in various disciplines. He said the construction of the facility would make it possible for the government to fulfill its promise to turn around the country’s sports fortunes.

“It has always been my dream to see Tanzania become a major sports nation,” Kikwete, regarded as next to none when it comes to sports promotion, said.

He added: “Seeing the talents of prospective players today, I believe having an ultra-modern sports academy at Malya is the way for our country to go.” The facility with 1,580 seats has been constructed by Railways Construction, a Chinese company, to a tune of Sh1.56bn.

Meanwhile, Tanzania Premier League (TPL) board maintained its stance against indiscipline yesterday by slapping stiff punishments on referees, coaches and clubs, including Mainland giants Young Africans, reports Majuto Omary from Arusha.

The board has imposed a one year suspension on referee Martin Saanya for failing to handle properly a recent Premier League match between Yanga and Coastal Union at the National Stadium.

Saanya, who officiated last season’s derby between traditional rivals Simba and Yanga, has also been dropped from the list of Premier League referees, according to the TPL chief executive officer, Silas Mwakibinga.

Mwakibinga told The Citizen yesterday by phone from Dar es Salaam that the decision to discipline wayward referees and clubs was reached during a meeting of the TPL board at the weekend.

Jesse Erasmo, an assistant referee during the Yanga-Coastal Union encounter, has also been handed a one year suspension.

Mwakibinga said that Erasmo failed to accord referee Saanya the assistance he needed to avoid controversial decisions during the match. The committee has also slapped a Sh1 million fine on Coastal Union’s assistant coach, Juma Pondamali for insulting Simba fans during their Premier League match.

Pondamali, also the national soccer team’s assistant coach, has also been handed a three-month suspension, Coastal Union have suffered a Sh100,000 fine for failing to honour a pre-match meeting.

Yanga, whose fans threw bottles and other objects to the pitch during the match, have been fined Sh500,000.