Imprezas
impress in Iringa
By Burton Brown
The Iringa rally that took place over the weekend saw numerous world-class cars
competing in the race. It is the second rally after the Knight Support Rally to
reach this standard after Tanzania gained full membership of the Federation of
International Automobile (FIA).
Impressed with the drivers’ performance, the Convenor of the Rally Commission of
Tanzania, Arif Ahmed said during the prize giving ceremony that what he watched
in Iringa was a replica of a world rally championship.
Out of the thirteen cars that started the race at Samora Machel Stadium, eight
were Subaru Imprezas.
“The drivers that took part competed in a world rally championship manner. These
were cars, speed and technical manoeuvres that have never been seen in Tanzania
before. I salute the drivers for their bravery,” said Ahmed.
The Morogoro-based driver, Saleh Balhabou won the rally. Balhabou and his
navigator, Maisam Fazal finished after 2 hours, 29 minutes and 41 seconds.
Arusha-based veteran, Gerald Miller who was under the navigation of his son
Shaun Miller took runner up position in their Mitsubishi Evo 6 after clocking 2
hours, 30 minutes and 12 seconds.
Ahmed Huwel and Fahim Taher of Iringa finished third overall in a Subaru Impreza
after spending 2 hours, 32 minutes and 52 minutes, ahead of Pano Calavria and
Terry Calavria taking fourth position in 2 hours 33 minutes and 43 seconds.
The Kirit Pandya/Asit Thanki team from Dar es Salaam took number five position
and timed 2 hours, 40 minutes and 57 seconds, while Anwar Pandya/Sanju Pandya
came sixth in 3 hours 01 minute and 17 seconds.
Also managed to finish a rally for the third time this year was young drivers
Dharam Pandya and Harsh Ramanuj who finished seventh while number eight position
went to Hamid Khan and his navigator, Jamil Khan of Dar es Salaam.
Drivers Daudi Kidawawa of Arusha, Hamid Mbata of Iringa, Kelvin Taylor and Omar
Bakhressa failed to finish the rally. Bakhressa who was ten minutes ahead of all
other drivers in five sections hit the ditch near Isimila and was forced to
retire with the victory just 3km ahead.
Maji Africa was the main sponsor of the rally making it a fourth backing since
the region staged its first rally in 2001.
Vijana look
for victories
By Burton Brown
After a disastrous performance in the just ended Union Basketball League, Vijana
basketball team want to make history by clinching the Zone Five Championship
title for the first time.
Vijana had a mediocre performance in the Union Basketball League, missing the
services of key players, including their top marksman, Mohamed Ally Dibo.
The Express visited the team’s training ground at Zanaki Secondary ground in Dar
es Salaam and found all players training under coach Zablon Manase.
Mohamed Ally Dibo said that the three players who were injured during the Union
League had already recovered and have been training for the forthcoming Zone
Five Championship.
Also captain of the team, Dibo said the players were in a high spirit after the
members of the club met last week to discuss the club’s poor performance in the
two past events. After clinching Kili Super Cup in October last year, Vijana
flopped in later events after losing crucial matches against Savio and JKT.
Dibo said Vijana would play few build up matches as part of the preparations for
the zonal tournament.
“We hope to play against the prominent basketball teams and if things go well,
play against one or two teams from outside,” he said.
Zone Five Basketball Championship between May 28 and June 4 takes place at the
national indoor stadium featuring JKT, Savio and Vijana. Women teams include
Jeshi Stars, JKT Stars and Don Bosco.
The countries of the zone five to participate are Kenya, Uganda, Seychelles,
Rwanda, Zambia and the hosts, Tanzania.
Sponsorship
pays off
By Express Reporter
The backing by the Federal Bank of the Middle East of Pano Calavria has had a
big impact on the driver’s performance.
The Dar es Salaam driver came to prominence two decades ago and Pano managed to
take a lead in the national seeding points after finishing all four events he
participated in.
“It is a lesson to everybody, once you have someone to back your career then you
owe him success. I have been very cautious behind the wheel so as to finish in
good position,” he said.
Before FBME begun their support, Pano could not manage the third section before
getting troubles that usually forced him to retire early.
From the year 2000 to 2003, Pano failed to secure a single point.
“It was dark years in my career which angered my fans. I have now realized the
meaning of sponsorship. The FBME sponsorship has completely changed me into a
born again driver,” he said.
The last time Pano won the National Rally Championship (NRC) was in 1999 during
the Oryx 500 Rally held in Dar es Salaam.
Now after the four rallies of success, Pano is leading with 172 points followed
by Kirit Pandya with 164 points. Saleh Balhabou is third with 112 points.
Nguri, Mngoma
shine in College Sports Festival
By Boogie Juma
Judith Ngiri and Hellen Mngoma were the biggest attractions in the 2005 edition
of the Magogoni Civil Service College Sports Festival held over the weekend at
the University of Dar es Salaam.
Playing for the Diploma Team, the two players scored the vital goals that helped
their team’s 2-1 win over the Certificate Team in the women soccer encounter at
the UDMS ground.
Judith scored her second goal of the event when her Diploma Team suffered a 1-5
defeat by the Tutors’ side.
In athletics, Helen Mngoma won women’s 100m dash while Mary Hashim was second.
Theresia Mwakifumba came third.
In the men’s event, Daniel Mwandechen won the 100m sprint followed by Grayson
Nyenga and Mathew Kilasi.
The team of College Officials recorded their first win in the tug of war after
failing to shine in soccer and athletics.
The coordinator of the event, Charles Mgaya said the college’s decision to stage
the annual event aimed at making students and workers fit.
TCA
prepares for World Cup
By Joyce Macha
In an endeavour to excel in this year’s international missions,
Tanzania Cricket Association (TCA) has commenced preparations for the World Cup
qualifiers in South Africa between August 19 and 24
The Chairman of TCA, Zully Rehemtullah handpicked 22 players to form the
national Under-19 provisional squad, three months before the event officially
starts in the South Africa.
Rehemtullah said in Dar es Salaam this week that the team was expected to
assemble for an off training camp at the Muhimbili Cricket Academy in Dar es
Salaam this week.
He named the players as Abhik Patwa, Hatim Kudrati, Aloo Muso, Rishin Patel,
Hamis Abdallah, Benson Mwita, Issa Kikasi, Omar Twaha, Riziki Kiseto, Kassim
Nassoro and Rushin Gajjar.
Others are Suraj Parmer, Rashid Amri, Andrea Mzoa, Henzebert Luhanga, Faraz
Juma, Mujtaba Murji, Harsheed Barmeda, Shakhti Sharma, Athumani Kakonzi, Chiaaj
Sharma and Shaheed Dhinani.
According Rehemtullah, TCA will after the training select 13 players who will
form the final squad for South Africa.
Rehemtullah said six countries from Africa and East Asia Pacific will compete in
the tournament to hunt for a ticket for the World Cup. The countries include
Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Namibia, Uganda, Kenya and Nigeria.
Tanzania took part in the qualifying matches for the first time in 2003, but the
debut did not bear fruits as Uganda and Papua New Guinea qualified to play in
the Under-19 World Cup held in Dhaka, Bangladesh last year.
Dar boxing tournament June 24
By Burton Brown
Dar es Salaam Region Amateur Boxing Association (DABA) has finalized
the preparation for this year’s regional boxing championship between June 24 and
26.
The Association’s Chairman, Alhaj Shaaban Mintanga said the championship will
start in Ilala Municipality at Mnazi Mmoja ground.
‘The competition will round in all three municipalities beginning in Ilala then
to Kinondoni before climaxing in Temeke in a league format,” said Mintanga.
He said the competition would feature all registered clubs in Dar es Salaam. “We
won’t have any objection with any team as long as it is registered,” he
insisted.
MMJKT are the tournament’s defending champions.
The prominent teams in the forthcoming championship include MMJKT, Magereza,
Ngome and Police while Mpitimbi, Azimio, Urafiki and Kawe Juniors are among the
upcoming clubs in the sport.
Junior
Basketball tourney gets underway
By Burton Brown
Shaaban Roberts and Zanaki Secondary school grounds are the venues for the
forthcoming Dar es Salaam Junior Basketball tournament penned to start tomorrow.
Organised by Dar es Salaam Regional Basketball Association (DARBA), the
tournament is for young players of Under 13 and 18 from Dar es Salaam.
Secretary General of DARBA, Mbaga Mwambona told The Express that EMIMA, an
organization dealing with education, sports and care collaborated with the
regional basketball body to organize the tournament.
According to Mwambona, the competition aims at acknowledging youths of the
dangers of HIV AIDS, the effects of drugs and marijuana.
Mwambona said the competition would be run in a league format involving 24 teams
– 12 boys’ and 12 girls’ teams.
National rugby team train for
Safari Sevens
By Express Reporter
Tanzania National Rugby Team will start residential training for this year’s
edition of Safari Sevens. Training will commence June 4 and last for one week at
Braeburn School in Arusha.
Tinus Aucamp, the National Rugby Team Coach and Manager told The Express on
Tuesday that the team will train for Safari Sevens that kicks off June 16.
“Normally Safari Sevens involves clubs, but this year national teams will take
part as a build up ahead of international events this year.”
Aucamp further disclosed that TRI-Nations Rugby Tournament, which Tanzania
stages in August this year, is one of the major international events Tanzania is
assigned to participate in this year.
Alongside the national team players, students from Arusha International School
and Braeburn schools will also participate in the training to tailor players for
the Tanzanian youth team.
Players from Moshi Kilicats of Kilimanjaro, Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Club and
Arusha Rhinos form the national rugby side.
TCA
versus Union A on Saturday
By Boogie Juma
Tanzania Cricket Association (TCA) Development face Union A in the
TCA Cricket League at Annadil Burhan Oval this weekend.
TCA Development, who lost their first match against Aga Khan last weekend, have
to win the match in order to revive their hopes of clinching the title.
Union A will be trying to continue their winning streak following their
spectacular win over Ekta in their first match of the league.
In Division B League, Union B are pitted against Union Veterans on Saturday at
Annadil Burhan ground.
The Chairman of Tanzania Cricket Association (TCA), Zully Rehmtullah said since
the league started a fortnight ago, some remarkable talents have been spotted.
He said the non-stop league sessions in Dar es Salaam helped making players used
to each other and new talents to mature.