Olympic games 2004
Sixth failure for Tanzania
By Express Team

Tanzania’s Olympics team recorded its sixth failure in the much-sought endeavour to win medals in the 2004 Olympic Games, recording another disgusting performance in Athens.
Ever since winning two medals in 1980 through Filbert Bayi and Suleiman Nyambui, Tanzania’s attempts to get more medals in the Olympics have consistently failed in the Games of 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996 and 2000.
However, sports enthusiasts said, this year, Tanzanian athletes put up their worst performance raising doubts about their seriousness and commitment.
The worst of all, as remarked most of them, was in Marathon where the best performer was Samson Ramadhan, who finished 40th out of the 100 who started. Ramadhani of Ngome clocked far below the qualifying mark of 2:15:00. He took 2:20:38 to complete the 42 km race.
For the second time, Zebedayo Bayo did not finish the race. Nada Saya, too, was among the 21 runners who did not finish 42 km race.
At least Samwel Mwera did something for his nation. Although he did not qualify for the 800 m finals, Mwera managed to break the 30 year record set by Filbert Bayi clocking 1:45 :30 and bettering Bayi’s time by two seconds.
As for the rest, Fabian Joseph, who failed to qualify in the men’s 5,000m final and finished 10th in the 10,000m; Benuelia Mrashani who did not finish women’s marathon; John Yuda, who did not finish 10,000m; and Restituta Joseph Restituta in 5000m, did not show much determination to bring honour to their country.
“It was no joke out there as sportsmen and women fought hard for their countries, and that is Olympics. But our athletes did not put up much fight for the win as did Ethiopians and Kenyans,” lamented Sergeant Mwita Chacha of JKT Mgulani.

back to headlines

Golfers set for ‘Big Fish’ tee off
By Joyce Macha

More than a 100 golfers are expected to lock horns in the Big Fish Golf tournament, which tees off this Saturday at Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Club course.
For the first time, Big Fish Advertisement is the main sponsor of the 18-hole golf tournament.
The Club’s golf captain, Mustafa Alibhai, said the tournament would be known as Big Fish Challenge Cup 2004 and would field golfers from all divisions.
According to Alibhai, the order of the play will be stroke play for golfers from A, B and Ladies divisions while Juniors and C divisions will play their winners under stableford points system.
Meanwhile, the 2004 edition of South African Day golf tournament will tee off September 11 as part of the grand South Africa Week, which takes place annually. According to sources in the Club, South African companies in Tanzania are the sponsors of the event.
Coca Cola, Tanzania Breweries Limited, Vodacom, AAR, Tanzania Cigarette Company, Tanzania Insurance, Konyagi, Serengeti Lager, are among the many companies that have confirmed to back this year’s event.

back to headlines

Massive entry confirmed for TIOT 500 Rally
By Express Reporter

More than 20 cars are expected to take part in the seventh National Rally Championship, scheduled to take place September 12 in Dar es Salaam.
Organised by the Dar es Salaam Motor Sports Club (DMSC), the rally will be the second event after Tanzania passed the candidate test scoring massive points in the just-ended General Tyre Rally, Tanzania edition of the African Rally Championship.
The chairman of the organising committee of DMSC, Murtaza Moloo, said drivers who had already confirmed their participation in the event are from Morogoro, STADO Rally team, Tanga, Arusha and Dar es Salaam.
According to Moloo, Pano Calavria, Saleh Balhabou, Omar Saidi, Bakhressa, Sameer Nahdi Shanto, Ahmed Huwel and Davis Mosha, Kinje Ngombale, Twalib Mohamed and Thalal, are all from Stado Rally team.
Others, including the champion Davinder Sahota Pagal, Frank Taylor, Kirit Pandya, Mehboob Ahmed, Mehboob Sadiq and Murtaza Kara Anaconda from Dar es Salaam, are also expected to field their cars in the event.
Explaining further, Moloo said the event’s main sponsors, Tanganyika International Oil Transporters (TIOT), would be making their first time sponsorship in Dar es Salaam after their successful sponsorship debut in Tanga last year.
Ultimate Security are co-sponsors of the event.

back to headlines

Sahota leads in AAT seeding
By Express reporter

After the sixth National Rally Championship in Arusha last month, Davinder Sahota still leads in the 2004 seeding points hauling 272 points in the five rallies he took part in.
The result sheet issued this week by the Automobile Association of Tanzania shows Saleh Balahbou is still behind the leaders by 72 points, after garnering 200 total points also in the five races he participated.
The just-ended Arusha rally earned Ahmed Huwel the third position with 148 points, pushing Omar Bakhressa to fourth position from 144 points he collected from two rallies.
Despite missing two crucial events, Kirit Pandya remained at number five, collecting 88 points and beating Thalal Islam, who is now sixth by eight points.
Others with good performances this year include Mehboob Django, who has managed 62 points, Navraj Hans 60 points while Twalib Mohamed, Kinje Ngombale Mwiru, Saleem Haji, Issa Mohamed and Saidi Baghoza also did well in this year’s season.
The international seeding point system under the International Motorsports Federation (FIA) came into practice this year soon after Tanzanian cars qualified to meet FIA’s group N standard.
Omar Bakhressa, who took 80 points in African Championship, Navraj Hans who was third overall and Twalib Mohamed who ended seventh, were the first Tanzanians to benefit from the new system.

back to headlines

Central Zone triumph in JKT Games
By Burton Brown

Central Zone team enjoyed a goal flurry last weekend as they thrashed Northern Zone 3-0 in the Zonal Sports Championship soccer match for National Services Forces held at Ruvu, Coast Region.
It was Seleman Justin, who starred in the match scoring two goals out of three his team scored.
Justine opened the score in the 30th minute when his 30m blockbuster overpowered Northern Zone defenders and their goalkeeper before finding a place at the far corner of the goal post.
Justine added a second goal in the early minutes of second half as he tore the entire defence placing the ball inside the yawning net.
Central Zone scored their third goal on spotkick after Northen Zone defenders fouled Justine as he was going to salute their custodian.
It was Goodluck Yohana, who converted the penalty to make it 3-0 until the final whistle.
In women’s soccer encounter, Northern Zone drew 0-0 with Southern Zone in a thrilling match held at the same venue.
In basketball, Northern Zone beat Central 30-19 and the winners were leading 19-8 until the end of the first half.

back to headlines

Vodacom League fixture rescheduled
By Express Correspondent

The Football Association of Tanzania (FAT) has once again injected some changes in the ongoing Super Eight stage of the Mainland Premier League.
Michael Wambura, the Secretary General of FAT, said in Dar es Salaam this week that the soccer body has rescheduled three matches of the league, which were to take place this week.
According to Wambura, the match between AFC of Arusha and Dar Young Africans, which was to take place on Wednesday, would now kick off on Saturday at the Sheikh Amri Abeid Memorial Stadium in Arusha.
He said Young Africans would host Police Dodoma September 8 at Dar es Salaam’s National Stadium instead of Sunday.
Also affected by changes are Prisons of Mbeya and AFC who were earlier to play this Saturday, and would now lock horns on September 7.
‘But all other matches in the fixture will remain the same as planned,” Wambura said.

back to headlines

Ex champs still toddling in 1st div
By Express Reporter

The former Tanzania League champions, Pan African are still toddling in the first division league after many failed attempts to regain their lost glory.
Pan African together with the 1967 national champions, Cosmopolitans are among the 42 teams that confirmed to take part in the First Division Soccer League set for a kick off September 12 in various venues.
The Football Association of Tanzania (FAT) Secretary-General, Michael Wambura, said the league would be played in eight groups.
He said Group “A” would feature the hosts Police Mara, Tarime United, Express United of Mara, Singida United and JKT Makotopora of Dodoma, while the Group B which comprises Pamba, Toto Africa, Musoma Shooting Stars, Police Shinyanga and Ujenzi Rukwa will stage their matches in Mwanza.
According to Wambura Group “C” will stage its matches in Moshi taking aboard Police Kilimanjaro, Meru Warriors, Abdajalo (DSM), Small Prisons (Tanga), Hawimbo (Mbeya) and Cargo of Dar es Salaam.
The old champs, Pan African are in Group G together with Manyema, Reli Morogoro, Muheza Shooting Star, Msimbazi Rovers and Cosmo Politan. Group”D” (Kagera); Kagera Sugar, Police Kagera, CDA, Mmbanga FC, Elimu Kasulu.
Group “E” (Ruaha, Morogoro); Police Morogoro, Uluguru, Villa Squad, Lipuli, Green War (Magereza Lindi), Nazarethi.Group “F” (Tanga); Coastal Union, African Sports, Kadif, Mkunguni and Police Iringa and Group “H” (Nzega, Tabora); Tembo, Rhino (Tabora), Geita Gold, Katavi Rangers and Police Rukwa.

back to headlines

Holders Savio still unbeatable
By Burton Brown

The defending champions of Kili RBA League, Savio continue to be a hard rock to beat in the 2004 Edition of Kili League after beating UDMS Outsiders 55-46 in a close fought encounter held at the National Indoor Stadium over the weekend.
Despite missing their industrious player, Henry Mwinuka who played for UDMS, Savio used their vast experience to win the match.
However, their top marksman, George Tarimo combined well with Jije Makani and Michael Mwita to slot home all important points in their hard earned victory.
On the other hand, Mwinuka’s well calculated passes constituted much to the points. Playing as assist, Mwinuka produced 12 passes that gave points to his new team while Jije Makani led in bagging rebounds after converting 7 of it.
However it was from 7 points nodded home by George Tarimo and Jije Makani in the fourth quarter that killed UDSM.
In the match, the top points scorer were Tarimo who bagged 12, Makani 10 while Mwinuka was third with 9 points.
Other another match held at the same venue, Cargo Stars beat Ilala Flats 77-59 while league veterans, Pazi had an easy 67-45 win over Magone in the same venue.
Tanzania Breweries Limited under Kilimanjaro Lager banner is the main sponsor of the month-long league.

back to headlines

JKT Wrestling Champions known
By Burton Brown

Juvent William won gold medal after beating Godfrey Manyama in the 76kg wrestling match as part of the ongoing National Service Games at Ruvu JKT Camp.
The event began a fortnight ago at Ruvu involving all zones of the National Service Units nationwide.
Sipendo William also won gold medal in 85kg category after beating Juvent William while in Ladies category Catherine Ntala crushed Zamda Kaswende who won silver medal.
In 69kg bout, Lucy Dominic won gold after out pointing Daines Lolwa while Grace Mkenge beat Catherine Ntala on her way to win gold.
Rehema Mkwaya who won gold in 63kg after beating Daines Sulwa in 69kg was among the new talents picked in the event. Another goldmedalist was Wahnene Suleman who beat Lucy Dominic.

back to headlines

Champ of Champions boxing meet confirmed
By Boogie Juma

Tanzania Amateur Boxing Association (TABA) has confirmed to start preparation for the Champion of Champions Boxing Competition scheduled to take place from October 30 to November 3 in Dar es Salaam.
According to TABA’s Chairman, Narcis Tarimo, the boxers qualified to compete in the event were those who won medals in the various international, national and clubs championships.
Explaining further Tarimo said the preference would be to the boxers who excelled in East African Boxing Championship, Commonwealth Games and All African Games which were held in Abuja, Nigeria.
He said any boxer who managed to win either gold, silver or bronze in any of the mentioned events is eligible to compete in this year's Champion of Champions meet.
According to Tarimo all boxers with intention to play must have submitted their confirmation before October 15, mentioning their specific weight to enable the organizers make good fixtures of the bouts.
However, there is worry that most of the boxers could not qualify since Tanzania failed to send participants in any of the recent international events like Olympics and All African Games.

back to headlines