Tanzania readies for AFCON 2027
DODOMA: THREE years before the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027 that will be jointly hosted by Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda, the government has announced that the preparations are on final touches.
Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa announced in the Parliament yesterday that the government has in place a comprehensive strategy that includes infrastructure construction and refurbishment.
He mentioned others as tourism market development and national team preparation, focusing on security measures alongside public awareness campaigns and the government is ready for the finals.
Speaking in Dodoma yesterday during adjourning the 15th meeting of the 12th Parliament, the Premier highlighted that the government has devised an action plan to ensure all outlined objectives in the strategy are effectively implemented.
“With this strategy, the government and the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) have commenced preparations for our national team towards the AFCON 2027 competition.
“These preparations include launching various programmes to nurture and enhance talents, involving youth teams under 17, 20, and 23 years old, as well as tapping into diaspora players,” he explained.
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Further initiatives encompass enhancing strategic plans for acquiring sports equipment, upgrading coaching benches, organising nutrition programmes and financing the national team coach’s remuneration.
In another development, Prime Minister Majaliwa applauded the individual sports discipline achievements in golf, particularly commending Madina Iddi for her victory in the Ghana Ladies Golf Open and the Kenya Ladies Golf Open.
He also recognised her second-place finish in the Uganda Ladies Open, Tanzania Ladies Open and the East and Central African Challenge Trophy tournament in Kigali, Rwanda.
During the Rwanda tournament, Tanzania’s national ladies’ team consisted of captain Hawa Wanyeche, Vicky Elias, Neema Olomi and Madina put the country into the spotlight after clinching the regional title.
Majaliwa urged stakeholders in sports to support various golf players in the country, pledging government support to facilitate their development.
In boxing, Majaliwa congratulated the national team for securing three bronze medals at the All-African Games held in Ghana last March.
He singled out Yusuph Changarawe for his knock-out victory over Venezuela’s Pereira Diego in the Olympic Paris 2024 qualifiers and praised Hassan Mwakinyo for winning the WBO Africa Middleweight title in January 2024.
The Premier also extended congratulations to athletes Gabriel Geay, Alphonce Simbu, Magdalena Shauri and Jackline Sekilu for qualifying to compete in the upcoming Olympics in Paris, France, scheduled for July this year.
Majaliwa conveyed his appreciation to the national swimming and karate teams for consistently flying the national flag high in various competitions.
Special mention was made of Young Africans and Azam FC for securing spots in the upcoming CAF Champions League, while Simba and Coastal Union earned their tickets for the CAF Confederation Cup next season.
He also complements Young Africans for winning the Premier League title and FA Cup and Simba, the winner of the Mapinduzi Cup.
“We wish all teams the best in these competitions, aiming for victory to proudly represent Tanzania across Africa,” he concluded.
