Ashraf marvels Kili RBA
By Burton Brown
Ashraf Harun of JKT neon signed the marvels of Kili RBA league as he starred in
his team’s victory over Chui in matches held over the weekend at the National
Indoor Stadium.
The player bagged 25 points, including 18 he notched through points conversion
when JKT recorded a voluminous 88-41 win against league debutantes, Chui. Harun
also managed one free throw and three turnovers.
“It was among the best matches for me,” said the player after the final whistle.
In the one-sided match, the winners JKT were leading 45-20 until breather with
Juma Kissocky, Frank Simkoko and Frank Kusiga giving Chui defence no time to
rest through out the match.
JKT skipper Frank Simkoko was among the stars of the weekend as he fired 16
points and six others through three points conversion and two passes that
produced points for his team.
On Chui’s side, Kulwa Mbozu starred his team’s score sheet with 12 points, two
assists and turnovers eight times.
In other matches played over the weekend, UDMS Outsiders thrashed T.M Rockets
41-36 and the winners were upfront by 26-15 until breather with John Kitula
leading the scoreboard with 12 points, turnovers two times and blocked shots two
times.
T.M Rockets’ best scorer was Shaaban Hamis, who ended with six points, six
steals and turnovers two times.
Sponsored by the Tanzania Breweries Limited under Kilimanjaro Premium Lager
banner, the league continues this weekend at the same venue.
UK driver gets first points in
Tanzania
By Joyce Macha
UK-based young driver, Saheer Ahmed, leaves for London today after his
hard-earned victory in the just ended TIOT 500 Rally, a fortnight ago.
Ahmed (20) who came to Tanzania in July, 2004, told The Express that his aim was
to get seeding points during the General Tyre Rally of Tanzania, which took
place in Dar es Salaam July 18 and 19 this year.
“However I did not finish the rally due to gear box problem. I was very much
upset since I was sure to get one of the top positions as my car was capable of
doing it,” he said.
The endeavour to win points at any cost convinced Ahmed to try his second
mission in Arusha, where the region staged Sea Cliff 500 Rally, which attracted
a big number of Kenyan drivers, including their best one, Azhar Anwar and Yogesh
Patel.
“For the second time my ambition was dealt a blow at Boma Ng’ombe-Kia section
when my car experienced turbo failure. Still, I was in a position to take one of
the top five positions,” he observed.
Popularly known as Shanu, the young driver eventually won his first points in
TIOT Rally when he ended fifth overall in the usual Mitsubishi Gallant VR 4.
He said for about six years his parents, Arif Ahmed and Meenaz, had failed to
finish in that car and they did not believe either when their son managed it.
“Behind every driver there is a team of skilled engineers, designers, mechanics
and logistics experts dedicated to working flat out to make their car
competitive and in a position to fight for victory. I thank my service crew for
making the losing car win for the first time,” said the driver at TIOT Yard,
where the winners received their prizes.
“Their winning days are over,” declared Saheer Ahmed ‘Shanu’ after the
accomplishment of his mission, pointing to top drivers such as Davinder Sahota
Pagal, Omar Bakhressa, Shanto and Huwel.
5-3-2 formation killed Yanga:
Coach
By Burton Brown
The unexpected win Simba SC recorded in last Saturday’s match against archrivals
Young Africans came through an abrupt switch from 4-4-2 to 5-3-2 formation,
which earned them a 1-0 win in the last minutes.
The Simba SC head revealed to The Express that the formation gave them good
defensive technique and enabled them create good scoring opportunity from
counter attacks.
In that match, Young Africans seemed to outclass Simba in every department and
the majority of soccer fans who attended the match said despite the defeat,
Young Africans soccer standard under the new coach, Sylasaid Mziray was far
superior to that of their opponents.
“In fact, Young Africans were superior to us that day. Therefore, to control
their attacking speed I had to fortify the midfield and the defence. And it
worked,” he boasted.
The counter attack earned Simba their lone goal when Machupa outran Young
Africans defence on his way to salute goalie Noel Pompy before putting the ball
at the far side of the net in the 82nd minute.
The match also abused Fair Play system that was marked that day.
On one occasion, Simba were almost close to scoring a goal when one player ran
to the goal ready to score, ignoring fair play basis when one player is injured.
The referee of the match, Idd Manase from Dodoma, tried to control the mood of
the players, and one of the victims was Athumani Machupa, the scorer of the
goal.
The player was given marching orders after stripping his jersey to cheer his
goal.
“The referee was right to flash a red card there,” said one of the fans at the
National Stadium.
Beside last Saturday’s win, Simba are still second placed with 19 points while
Young Africans dropped one position to number four with their 10 points. Mtibwa
are still leading with 19 points, but own more goals than Simba.
TBL to back Kili Rugby 7’s
By Express Reporter
The Tanzania Breweries Ltd, under its Castle Lager banner, has confirmed to back
again the 2004 edition of Kilimanjaro Rugby 7’s set for a kick off October 2 at
the Moshi International School Stadium.
The organisers of the event said the star attractions of the tournament will be
KCB, the defending champions and Impala RFC, both from Nairobi, who have been
seeded as the top teams.
Other Kenyan teams include Mwamba, who have beaten finalists in the Kilimanjaro
7’s for the last three years, Blak Blad, Nakuru, Gaulios, African Nazeree,
Kenyan U19s and Ederton. The Ugandan Rugby Union has indicated that it will be
sending the Black Pirates and Sailors teams from Kampala to compete in Tanzania
for the first time.
The standard of rugby in Tanzania has improved this year as the Tanzania Rugby
Union launched Tanzania back into the international arena.
True to the development aims of Tanzania Rugby Union, this year’s tournament
will feature local primary schools. Students from Sokonie, Singa Bora and Shanty
Town in Moshi will be competing for the Kilimanjaro primary school title.
The stars of the future will be competing throughout the day. The action starts
at 8 a.m. at the ISM pitch, with finals taking part in the afternoon.
Entrance into the ground is free for all spectators.
Goals drought in Vodacom League
By Burton Brown
As the Super Eight Stage of Vodacom Premier League reaches its ninth stage this
week, only 60 goals have been scored so far with Mtibwa Sugar of Morogoro
remaining at the top with 17 goals in their kitty.
Mtibwa Sugar lead as the team with best strikers after winning six matches and
drawing two.
However, Simba seemed to lead in the best defence as only four goals have gone
past their custodian Juma Kaseja at this stage. The team takes second position
with 21 points.
Third in the league position are Police Dodoma, who have bagged 13 points after
winning four matches, one draw and lost four.
However, Police lead in conceding goals in one match. The 0-5 defeat from
Mtibwa Sugar last weekend stained their good performance in the league.
Moro United lead in drawing matches. The fourth placed team drew six times, won
one and lost one.
Young Africans are now fifth placed with 10 points after their last minute
defeat against archrivals Simba over the weekend.
Jabu’s basketball magnificent
By Burton Brown
Jeshi Stars’ Jabu Shaaban scored the best ever basket in the opening match of
Kili RBA Ladies league as Jeshi Stars thrashed JKT in a closely contested match
at the National Indoor Stadium over the weekend.
“Her score mirrored the beautiful opening of the league and will probably remain
unequalled until the end of this league,” commented a basketball enthusiast.
The ball started from Lucy Augustino, who dribbled six steps before dropping it
to Jabu. Tightly marked by four JKT defenders, Jabu, with a lighting speed rose
high to sink the ball from far angle flustering her opponents who made nasty
fouls in their attempts to foil her.
In the close game, Jeshi Stars emerged winners, scoring 47 points against 46 by
JKT.
The winners began the game with determination and managed to lead 14-5 in the
first quarter before JKT strikers, Nelly Anyingisye and Evodia Kizinga, reduced
the margin and made it 21-18 until breather.
Grace Daudi of JKT fired home 14 points and six from rebounds, while Evodia
Kazinja of JKT starred in the general performance with 16 points against her
name.
Kazinja was the only player who managed to score three points twice.
Cheka win heralds pro-boxing
return
By Express Correspondent
Tanzania’s professional boxing bounced back with success this month as the
Morogoro-based boxer, Francis Cheka, won his international bout against Zambian
Tom Chisala in the non-title bout held over the weekend at Diamond Jubilee Hall.
Just a week after another Tanzanian, Mbwana Matumla, won PAN African boxing
title in South Africa, Francis Cheka ‘SMG’ gave the Tanzanians a good weekend
gift, when he beat the Zambian in the well-attended light middleweight bout last
Sunday.
All judges awarded the Tanzanian a victory on 100-95, 100-96 and 99-96 points in
the 10-round bout.
“I feel delighted with the win. Although I outclassed my opponent in all
sections, he is still a brave boxer who withstood all the granite punches I gave
him,” said Cheka after the fight.
Cheka’s punches nearly gave him quick victory in the first round, but Chisala
managed to wake up before the count reached ten.
The Zambian came up with new tactics in the next rounds that made him too
slippery to catch.
Iringa Rally slated for Oct 9
By Express Reporter
The eighth edition of the Tanzanian National Rally Championship will now take
place in Iringa October 9 and 10 after a week’s postponement.
The Convenor of Rally Commission of Tanzania, Arif Ahmed, said previously the
event was scheduled to take place October 2 and 3, but had to be postponed for a
week to give more time to the organising committee.
The rally, according to Ahmed, has been sponsored by Maji Africa since 2001.
However, this year’s rally will miss its current champion Collin Higgins, who
was also the overall winner of the 2003 Rally season.
“The Iringa Motor Sports Club is not yet affiliated to the Rally Commission, but
like in the past three events, but it will be organised by some members of
different clubs to make Iringa region a part of the calendar,” said Ahmed.
Meanwhile, having recovered from an eye ailment, Dar es Salaam ace driver Kirit
Pandya and his son, Dharam, will take part in the Iringa Rally for the first
time since its inception three years ago.
U-17 coach scouts for new talent
By Express Correspondent
The Under 17 national team coach, Abdallah Kibaden, is set to start searching
for new talents ahead of the second round of the continental youth soccer
championship match against Zambia in November.
The Secretary General of the Football Association of Tanzania (FAT), Michel
Wambura, said Kibaden would visit First Division League centres doing the
exercise. The centres are Ruaha, Tanga, Mwanza, Moshi and Dar es Salaam.
Wambura said the team currently remained with 17 players after removal of five
players last week.
“After the talent scouting, the team would assemble immediately for training
ahead of their tough match against determined Zambians,” he explained.
Big Fish Golf tourney this
Saturday
By Express Correspondent
After failing to tee off last Saturday, the Big Fish Golf tournament will take
place this Saturday at the Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Club with more than 80 golfers
confirmed to lock horns for the event’s title chase.
The Club’s golf captain, Mustafa Alibhai, said inclement weather halted the
tournament midway.
“The downpour made it difficult to play as all the fairways were full of water
and the course impassable,” said the captain.
The rainfall stopped the afternoon session players from teeing off, while those
who played in the morning managed to complete all 18 holes of the course.
Some key players expected to tee off this Saturday include Safaraz Daya, Manraj
Bharya, Silima Uledi, Elia Mwaibanje, Shabbir Abji and Roman Volkov.
Also in the tournament are Nazeer Tajudeen, Lt General Gideon Sayore and
Dharampal Gupta, while in the ladies division, Priscilla Karobia, Prema Gupta,
Fatma Makame, Lina Nkya and Ayne Magombe are the golfers to watch out for in the
title chase.