Dar runners miss C’wealth Games
Samson Ramadhan of Tanzania leads Fred Mogaka Tumbo of Kenya during the men’s marathon at the Commonwealth Games at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 19, 2006 in Melbourne, Australia. Ramadhani won the gold medal and Tumbo took silver. PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
Ramadhan, who was named in the provisional squad now camping in Ethiopia by Athletics Tanzania (AT), has formally withdrawn from Glasgow 2014 because of a hip injury.
Dar es Salaam. Renowned marathoner Samson Ramadhan will miss next month’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland Marathon due to injury, it has been revealed.
Ramadhan, who was named in the provisional squad now camping in Ethiopia by Athletics Tanzania (AT), has formally withdrawn from Glasgow 2014 because of a hip injury.
Another notable absentee in the final squad named by the Tanzania Olympic Committee (TOC) yesterday for the multi-sport event is long distance runner Faustine Mussa.
The TOC president, Gulam Rashid, said yesterday that the duo sustained injuries during a training session in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia earlier this week.
The two runners’ absence means Team Tanzania will be without two of their vastly experienced athletes.
“It is with regret and disappointment that I can confirm that Samson Ramadhan and Faustine Mussa have to withdraw from Team Tanzania for the Commonwealth Games,” said Rashid. Ramadhan, who won a gold medal in the men’s marathon at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia, is among the best athletes the country has ever produced. Early this year, he proved that he still has what it takes to shine in international competitions by claiming a gold medal at the Bamako Marathon.
In 2003, the soft-spoken runner won a gold medal in the Beppu-Oita Marathon in Japan before claiming a similar honour in the Lake Biwa Marathon (Japan) a year later.
Mussa was among the Olympians in the squad for the Glasgow Games. He finished 33rd in 2012 London Olympics.
Unveiling a 26-member squad for the Commonwealth Games yesterday, Rashid said he feels the athletes making up Team Tanzania have what it takes to shine in Scotland.
The TOC boss mentioned the athletes as Fabian Joseph and John Leonard who will compete in the men’s Marathon.
The other runners are Alphonce Felix (10000m), Fabian Sule, Wilbaldo Malley (5000m), Bazili John and Doto Ikangaa (1500m). Also in the list is trainer Suleiman Nyambui who doubles as AT secretary general.
Swimmers are Hilal Hemed Hilal and Ammar Ghadiyali, They will compete in the 50m and 100m freestyle. The duo will be under coach Ramadhan Namkoveka.
The judo team consists of Abuubakari Nzige (60kg), Andrew Mlugu (66kg), Mbarouk Mbarouk (73kg), Geofrey Mtawa (90kg) and trainer Omari Zaidi Hamis.
Mohamed Hakimu (81kg), Hamadi Omari (49kg), Seleman Kidunda (69kg), Nassar Mafuru (60kg), Ezra Paul (52kg) and trainer Burton Mwakipesile comprises the boxing team, while table tennis consists of Amon Tumaini, Masoud Mtalaso, Neema Dennis, Mwamvita Mohamed and team coach Ramadhan Othman.
Those making up the weightlifting team are Shaibu Abdalla (69kg), Rahman Simai (77kg) and team trainer is Issa Suleiman, while the cycling squad comprises Emmanuel Mollely, Richard Lonin’go and team coach Jax Mhagama.
Officials who will accompany Team Tanzania to Scotland are chef de mission Leonard Thadeo, team manager Muharam Mchume and physician Mwanandi Mwamkemwa.
The team is expected to leave for Glasgow on July 20. Rashid said that the number of the athletes might increase if the government agrees to donate money meant to foot their travelling costs..
