CRDB Bank sponsors Taifa Cup with Sh200 million
What you need to know:
A total of 36 teams will participate in the tournament, with 20 men's teams and 16 women's teams.
Dar es Salaam. CRDB Bank has announced a sponsorship of Sh200 million for the upcoming Taifa Cup basketball tournament, scheduled to take place from June 24 to July 4 at the Chinangali courts in Dodoma.
The Head of Corporate Communications at CRDB Bank, Emmanuel Kiondo, stated that out of the total amount, Sh50 million will be allocated for prizes for both men's and women's categories, as well as scholarships for young players.
Kiondo revealed thatDewji ranks 12th on the continent. At the age of 49, he has earned a distinction as Africa's youngest billionaire. a total of 36 teams will participate in the tournament, with 20 men's teams and 16 women's teams.
The men’s Group A includes teams from Kigoma, Arusha, Singida, Iringa, and Tanga.
Group B comprises Dodoma, Simiyu, Mwanza, Tabora, and Manyara, while Group C features Mbeya, Shinyanga, Rukwa, Kilimanjaro, and Unguja.
Group D has teams from Dar es Salaam, Coast Region, Mara, Lindi, and Morogoro.
In the women’s category, Group A includes Mara, Tabora, Arusha, and Mtwara; Group B has Unguja, Morogoro, Manyara, and Mwanza; Group C consists of Dodoma, Kilimanjaro, Iringa, and Kigoma; while Group D includes Dar es Salaam, Tanga, Mbeya, and Coast Region.
He further noted that, apart from prizes for the overall winners, there will also be awards for the best player, top scorer, best defender, and best young player — for both men and women.
“For the past five years, CRDB Bank has proudly achieved various milestones, including sponsoring education for 75 young players, some of whom have secured employment opportunities.
We have brought great excitement and contributed to the growth of basketball, with the number of participating teams rising from 24 to 36,” said Kiondo.
“In the past four years, there were only eight women’s teams. This year, we’ve doubled that number to 16, which has significantly widened opportunities for female players,” he added.
On his part, the Secretary General of the Tanzania Basketball Federation (TBF), Mwenze Kabinda, commended CRDB Bank for its sponsorship and ongoing efforts to develop the sport in the country.
Kabinda said the tournament is expected to be very competitive due to the strength of the participating teams and urged so-called “big” teams to prepare well.
“The full tournament schedule will be released two weeks before the event kicks off.
For now, teams are advised to start their preparations as we expect a highly competitive tournament,” said Kabinda.
