Stage set for national netball first division tournament

Dar es Salaam. The national first division netball championship will take place in Morogoro region, the Tanzania Amateur Netball Association (Chaneta) has announced.

Chaneta chairperson Anna Kibira said yesterday 23 teams are expecting to feature in the tournament scheduled to start from August 27 to September 10 at the Jamhuri Stadium.

Kibira said each team is supposed to pay Sh300,000 as participation fees and Sh100,000 in club annual membership fees.  

“The stage is already set for this year’s edition of the championship as 23 teams brace for what is likely to be the toughest event in recent seasons,” said Kibira.

Kibira named the teams lined up for the battle in Morogoro as  Kagera Municipal, Sengerama Queens, Polisi Shinyanga, Polisi Kigoma, Polisi Morogoro, Tumbaku (Morogoro), Polisi Arusha, Arusha City Queens, Polisi Arusha, Jiji (Tanga), Korogwe Queens and  Kisarawe Queens.

Others are Kongowe Queens, JKT Ruvu, Bandari Mtwara, Halmashauri ya Mji Mtwara, Lindi Queens, JKT, Jeshi Stars, CMTU, Temeke Queens and defending champions, Uhamiaji.

The championship is held on a rotational basis with a view to promoting netball in upcountry regions. Dodoma hosted the previous edition.

“We have been organising the event on a rotational basis to promote the game in upcountry regions as well as improving playing facilities,” she said.

Chaneta is looking forward to increasing their netball promotional activities considering the recent plunge in the world rankings. Tanzania has not participated in major international events for  at least two years due to lack of funds.