Dr Mshindo Msolla
amsolla@ yahoo.co.uk
    LOOKING AT SPORTS with A BIRD'S EYE
The Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) will hold its general election towards the end of this year in a bid to get new office bearers.Reports have it that some figures aspiring for top TFF posts are already moving around the regions wooing voters.

Someone reading this article might have many questions in his mind; like what is new about it or what is wrong with such underground campaigns?  But my concern here is to what extent these aspirants are suitable for developing the Tanzanian soccer that has stagnated for a better part of the past decade. It is an undisputable truth that soccer lovers need the kind of leaders who are capable of helping Taifa Stars and junior teams to qualify for the prestigious Caf and Fifa finals.

As it is now, our teams suffer ignominious exits, the preliminary rounds have turned to be the end of the road for Tanzania. The TFF has enjoyed a lot of support from key stakeholders, namely, the government, private companies and soccer fans at large. However, little has been achieved, contrary to the high expectations Tanzanians had when the highly respected TFF president, Leodger Tenga, took office eight years ago.  This outcome must be startling because, Tenga is unquestionably a good football leader.

What has probably made him  fail to live up to soccer enthusiasts’ expectations is the leaders surrounding him.
The composition of the executive committee did not reflect what Tenga wished to achieve as far as soccer growth is concerned. People in the regions should have a clear vision on who would be able to lead the TFF for the bettement of the nation. We all know that some have been fighting for the TFF posts just for personal gains. They can also seen contesting political position by hook or by crook.

If the disgruntled voters have a clear vision of what they want, this time around they will definitely vote for people who can change Tanzania’s soccer fortunes. The TFF legal unit should also look for a possibility of having candidates who would represent neither a specific region nor TFF technical organisations but help develop our soccer.  

There are a lot of very good people who I believe can immensely contribute to soccer development in this country.
However, such people refrain from contesting because of dirty politics, which are employed by other candidates.
The truth is they fear to ruin their reputation by rivalling candidates who use dirty politics tricks.  My advice to the voters from clubs, districts and regions is that, do justice to Tanzanian football by electing people who have total commitment to developing football.

 If that is done, we will make some strides. The National Sports Council (NSC) should also pay attention to the elections, for they would ruin soccer development.  Of course, the NSC knows very well what befall our football should they keep quiet. It’s high time they acted.

Dr Msolla is the former Premier League and national soccer team coach

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