Nyerere Day celebrations ignite sporting spirit across Tanzania

TODAY, as Tanzania marks the 25th anniversary of the passing on of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, the nation’s sports arenas—ranging from dusty volleyball courts to paved basketball courts and vibrant hockey fields—are alive with action, paying tribute to the Father of the Nation.

In Moshi, Kilimanjaro region, the Tanzania Volleyball Federation (TVF) and the Tanzania Hockey Association (THA) have organised the Nyerere Memorial Cup tournament, an event that has captured the region’s imagination.

The on-going Volleyball Nyerere Cup, being held at the Hindu Mandal courts in Moshi, is one of the key sporting events commemorating Mwalimu Nyerere’s legacy.

The tournament that kicked off on October 10, 2024, has already seen thrilling matchups. In the women’s category, the Rwandan team APR become the first to reach the final, securing a dominant 3-0 victory over Tanzania’s Star Girls.

They will now face Tanzania Prisons in today’s final after the latter dispatched Chui with a 3-0 win in their semi-final. One of the notable men’s entries are men’s champions, Tanzania Prisons and Serengeti of Iringa who have remained the only Tanzanian hopes in the ongoing Mwalimu Nyerere Memorial Volleyball in Moshi.

The men’s tournament has also seen exciting developments, with Tanzania Prisons and Serengeti from Iringa reaching the semi-finals. Prisons will take on defending champions APR, while Serengeti face off against Burundi’s Rukinzo in another semi-final battle.

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Over 12 teams from Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania are competing in the 2024 Mwalimu Nyerere Memorial Volleyball tournament, adding an international flair to the competition. Hockey Memorial Cup In parallel, the Nyerere Hockey Memorial tournament is underway at the Sikh Community Ground in Moshi.

This four-day event, organised by the Moshi Sikh Club and THA, features 12 teams, including eight men and four women’s teams, battling for supremacy. The men’s tournament has already seen Group A defending champions Moshi Khalsa top their group and was in action yesterday evening facing off Tanga Stars, the runners-up from Group B, in the semifinals.

Meanwhile, TPDF, finishing second in Group A, was scheduled to face Group B leaders Black Mambaz yesterday evening for the place in today’s final. In the women’s category, teams such as TPDF, Ilala, Temeke and Twende Ladies are fighting for the coveted title, with TPDF suffering a tough 2-4 loss to Twende on opening day and Temeke recording a 2 – 0 goal victory over Ilala.

The women’s final will take place at 9:00 am, followed by the men’s final at 11:00 am today. Basketball Bonanza in Mbeya In Mbeya, over 12 teams are participating in the Mwalimu Nyerere Memorial Basketball Bonanza, a two-day event that began yesterday and will conclude today at the Mbeya Youth Centre Basketball Court.

The event, organised by the Mbeya Basketball Bonanza Committee, is another way the nation honours Mwalimu Nyerere’s transformative leadership.

The tournament features both men and women’s teams. In the men’s category, Mbalizi triumphed over St Aggrey 67- 40, with Mabangi Daniel leading his team to victory. Crescents defeated Songwe 66-39, while Mbeya Flames narrowly edged out VETA in a thrilling opening game.

In the women’s competition, Veronica George stole the show, helping Mbeya Flames Queens secure a dominant 57-11 win over VETA Queens.