The Minister for Information, Youth, Culture and Sports, Dr Fenella Mukangara, has shown the way by sponsoring a soccer competition dubbed ‘Umoja na Amani Super Cup’ which brings together 32 teams in Ubungo constituency.
Information, Youth, Culture and Sports Minister Fenella Mukangara kicks the ball to launch the ‘Umoja na Amani’ Super Cup 2013 sponsored by her at Kimara Baruti in Dar es Salaam on Sunday. More than 32 teams from Ubungo constituency are participating in the tournament. Looking on (left) is Registrar of National Associations and Clubs Mercy Rwezaura. (Photo by Mohamed Mambo)
Speaking at the opening ceremony at Kimara Baruti grounds in Kinondoni municipality in the city yesterday she said sports was an ideal platform to build peace, love and unity in the society. “Apart from health building, sports promote good relationship and love among the people in our society,” she said.
Mukangara urged the youth to refuse being used by people with bad intentions to serve their own interest by engaging them in violence and drug trafficking. “I call upon the youth to engage fully in sports because they provide employment,” she said. “Be vigilant because criminal incidents tarnish your image as youths in particular and Tanzanians in general,” she said.
The minister called on the youth to spend most of their time in generating income instead of being used as source of violence. The tournament kicked of with a match between Florida FC and Kimara United. According to the competition coordinator, Msafiri Mohamed, the competition runs in a league system and that 16 teams from two groups would qualify for the knock-out stage in order to get four teams for finals.
“We are grateful for the minister whose great support has facilitated the competition to start today,” he said. He said the winners of the two-month competition will take home 2m/-, a cup, two sets of jersey and two balls while the runners-up will take 1m/, a set of jersey and two balls. “The best scorer will be awarded 100,000/-,” Mohamed said.
By LUDOVICK KAZOKA, Tanzania Daily News
