Military athletes set for greater role in sports

THE government is actively working to increase the representation of military athletes in international sports competitions.

Deputy Minister for Culture, Arts and Sports, Hamis Mwinjuma, remarked this during the climax of the Tanzania Military Sports Council (BAMMATA) Games.

Mwinjuma emphasised the importance of military personnel engaging in sports, aligning with the National Sports Policy.

He highlighted the benefits of sports for physical and mental health, as well as for fostering unity and camaraderie within the armed forces.

“The goal is to establish frameworks that will enable our military to produce more athletes who can represent the nation in various international competitions,” Mwinjuma stated.

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“We have discussed this thoroughly with the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and soon we will begin formal talks on how to implement this plan,” he added.

“We want military athletes to have a significant role in representing Tanzania on the international stage.”

He expressed confidence in the military’s ability to produce top-tier athletes who can represent Tanzania proudly on the global stage.

To achieve this goal, Mwinjuma urged the military to strengthen sports programmes within their camps, invest in sports facilities and provide training for coaches, leaders and referees.

He also emphasised the need to nurture young talent through specialised sports programmes.

The recent 2024 Paris Olympics saw Tanzania send a small team of athletes, but the government is determined to increase the country’s participation and performance in future international competitions.

The Ministry of Culture, Arts and Sports is working closely with the military to ensure that Tanzania’s armed forces become a valuable source of talent for the nation’s sports teams.