Muharami Mchume, the Team Tanzania manager, also concurred with Kidunda’s expectations, insisting that the team has all it takes to win medals following adequate preparations.
Dar es Salaam. Team Tanzania captain Suleiman Kidunda has promised that the side will cause upsets at the 2014 Commonwealth Games planned to start next Wednesday in Glasgow, Scotland.
Tanzania had a shoddy participation at the 2010 Games in Delhi, India, having not won a single medal, but the 30-year-old boxer exudes confidence that they will exorcise the ghosts and cart home medals.
The country has so far won 24 medals in 11 appearances with its best outing coming at the 1982 Brisbane Games when its athletes won five medals to settle at position 12.
“We are in the right frame of mind heading into the tournament. We have been working hard all this time and most of us are confident of doing Tanzania proud in Glasgow.
“It is easy to promise medals, but to say which medal exactly is difficult. So, all I can promise is that we are ready to give our best shot during the tournament,” the 2012 olympian said shortly before flying to Scotland yesterday.
He added: “Our 2010 outing in Delhi was disappointing, but it was part of the learning curve; we only took positives from India and I am convinced that we are stronger than before.
“We are all very excited about the games. The coaches have given us a lot of morale and we promise to do very well. It will not be tough because we have worked hard with the trainers, so we just need the Tanzanians to support and have confidence in us.”
Muharami Mchume, the Team Tanzania manager, also concurred with Kidunda’s expectations, insisting that the team has all it takes to win medals following adequate preparations.
During the farewell ceremony on Tuesday, President Jakaya Kikwete reminded the athletes that they are deeply indebted to the nation and the only way to appease it is to win medals.
Bidding farewell to 39 athletes who left yesterday for Glasgow, he said winning medals at the Games will preserve the country’s integrity and pride at the international sports arena.
“We have been experiencing medal drought for quite some years now, but I believe that this time around you are going to win medals for the country and for your own fame,” the President said before handing over the national flag to Kidunda.
Members of the Team Tanzania who trained in Turkey, China, New Zealand and Ethiopia include Kidunda (69kg) whose boxing team includes Ezra Paul (56kg), Nassar Mafuru (60kg) Hamis Furahisha (56 kg) and Mohamed Hakimu (81kg).
Othere are Joseph Martin (75 Kg), Emillian Patrick (56 kg) and Fabian Gaudence (60kg).
Judokas are Andrew Mlugu, Abubakari Nzige, Zaidi Hamis Omari and Mbarouk Suleiman Mbarouk plus two weightlifters Abdullah Shaib Abdallah and Jalinus Suleiman.
The athletics team includes Fabian Joseph, John Leonard, Alphonce Felix Simbu, Fabian Sulle , Wilbaldo Malley , Bazil John Baynit. They will be accompanied by Athletics Tanzania secretary general Suleiman Nyambui.
The swimmers are Hilal Hilal, Ammar Ghadiyali and Ramadhan Namkoveka.
Table tennis players are Amoni Tumaini, Masoud Mtalaso, Neema Mwaisyula, Mwamvita Mohamed and Ramadhani Suleiman, while in wrestling, Shaib Abdalla, Rahman Simai and Issa Duleiman will carry the national flag.
Cycling will be represented by Emmanuel Mollel, Richard Laizer and Jax Godfrey Mhagama.
