Minister’s challenge to MCL sports team

Dar es Salaam. The government has commended Mwananchi Communications Limited (MCL) for its involvement in sports development and supporting the society through corporate and social responsibilities.

Speaking at the launch of a newly designed Mwanaspoti on Monday night, the minister of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Harrison Mwakyembe, said he was optimistic the product would bring a whole new experience to readers of sports and entertainment.

MCL also publishes Mwananchi and The Citizen newspapers.

Mwakyembe said he was happy to see the MCL join hands with the government in turning around the country’s football fortunes.

MCL is among companies that sponsored the national U-17 soccer team, Serengeti Boys, which competed in the African Youth Championship finals in Gabon earlier this year.

The Tanzanian boys did not go beyond the group stage of the continental championship, but they won many a heart for the artistic way they approached the game.

“Mwanaspoti is a different newspaper now, it is a paper that is predictive, analytical, and forward-looking, and not the paper of yesterday,” the minister said at the colourful event.

““In 2001, when Mwanaspoti was launched, you had only three journalists but you were able to produce over 3,000 copies.

“It is now the leading sports newspaper in the country. That is why I congratulate you,” he added.

He urged the MCL sports journalists to work even harder in promoting sports.

He said Tanzania is endowed with gifted youngsters who only need training, exposure and publicity to hit the limelight.

He named Mbwana Samatta, who plays professional soccer in Europe, and athletics prodigy Alphonce Simbu as among athletes who do Tanzanians proud in sports.