France to inject Sh1.6 billion for Tanzania's sports growth

Dar es Salaam. The French government said it will inject Sh1.6 billion to support sports development in Tanzania.

Through a two-year program known as “Twende Olympic 2024”, the move is seen as a diversification of France’s areas of cooperation with Tanzania by bringing sports on board.

Speaking at the launching ceremony on Wednesday evening, French ambassador to Tanzania Nabil Hajlaoui said the project is meant to address the endemic problem of training and management in sports.

The project, said Mr Hajlaoui, will be used to augment Olympic values for the sporting community, especially at the grassroots level.

“Sports promotion is a priority for France at the international level. In fact, this two-year project also reflects France’s feminist diplomacy,” he underscored.

He added that the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, starting July 26 next year, should be used as an occasion to promote sports as a social and health tool.

Culture, Arts and Sports Minister Pindi Chana expressed her desire to work with the French government in the area of sports.

“We have economic diplomacy, and now we are talking about sports diplomacy, this is commendable indeed,” said Dr Chana, adding; “We have very talented youth. What they need is just leadership.”

Tanzania Olympic Committee president Gulam Rashid said the implementation of the project involves training coaches, athletes, youth, and women, starting with the regions of Mbeya, Singida, Coast, and Zanzibar.

In 2024, he said, they would be able to extend to Ruvuma, Lindi, and Pemba based on the evaluation of the implementation and the impact of the previous activities.

Structured national competitions, especially for youth and sports for health campaigns, will also be undertaken, Mr Rashid noted.

“The sponsorship is a great milestone in the history of the Tanzania Olympic Committee. It has come at a very opportune moment as the Tanzania Olympic Committee seeks to reach out to the public,” he said.

This year’s Olympic Day theme, “Let’s Move,” is specifically chosen to encourage people everywhere to do physical exercises for at least 30 minutes a day for their health.

“It is our goal to see to it that this project inspires the public to make physical exercise part of their everyday lives,” said Mr Rashid.