Africa games ‘offers Team TZ new hope’

Dar es Salaam. The government is confident that Tanzanian athletes, who will compete in the All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville, will make the country proud by winning medals.

Speaking to The Citizen yesterday, National Sports Council (NSC) secretary general Henry Lihaya said Team Tanzania consists of 31 athletes who were selected on merits basis. “Most of them have trained hard for the games,” he said.

Lihaya said the athletes have trained hard and believe they will show the best standard and win medals. “Despite a limited number of athletes, sports bodies have selected the best athletes. I believe they will make us proud,” said Lihaya.

According to the All Africa Games fixtures, today will see amateur boxers searching for the medals. The boxers, who now in Congo Brazzaville ahead of the games are Hamad Furahisha, Ismail Isack and Saidi Hofu. The boxers’ are under trainer, Benjamini Mwangata.

According to Lihaya, all boxers are in top shape and ready to show their best in the game. “We have already arrived in Congo Brazzaville and our boxers are in top shape. We are waiting to get the fixture which will give us real picture,” he said.

Boxing Federation of Tanzania (BFT) secretary general Makore Mashaga, said that the boxers have attended weigh-in exercises and the organizing committee is yet to announce their opponents.

Apart of the amateur boxers, Tanzania will also feature athletes in swimming, athletics, Paralympic and judo. The judokas are Ahmed Magongo, Geofrey Mtawaa, Andrew Thomas and their trainer, Zaidy Hamis. Paralympic athletes are Ignas Mtweve, who will contest in cycling, and Samson Konza, who will contest in throws, while swimmers are Ammaar Ghadiyali and Hilal Hilal.