Ngorongoro Conservation Body Supports Taswa Gala

By Mariam Said

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA) has dished out 10.4m/- to sponsor a special event to award athletes who have excelled during President Jakaya Kikwete's ten years reign.

Organised by the Tanzania Sports Writer's Association (TASWA) to bid farewell to President Kikwete, the event will be held at the Mlimani City Hall in Dar es Salaam on October 8th, this year. Speaking at the press conference in Dar es Salaam yesterday, NCCA Public Relations Manager, Adam Akyoo, said they have decided to step in and support TASWA in honour of President Kikwete.

Akyoo said President Kikwete has made a tremendous contribution to sports development and tourism growth in the country during his two leadership terms. "President Kikwete is well known for his passion in sports. He has also been so close to NCAA, frequently visiting the park and has helped immensely to promote the country's national parks to the outside world," Akyoo said.

TASWA Secretary General, Amir Mhando, thanked NCAA for their support, calling for other institutions to come forward to support the event. He said the association needed a sum of 130m/- to host the event, saying the door was open for other companies to join and offer their support. On Wednesday, Dar es Salaam based GSM Foundation also dished out 50m/- to sponsor this event.

GSM Foundation, Elibariki Lukumay, said the institution was impressed by the TASWA idea and felt it was important to support the event. TASWA Chairman, Juma Pinto, said the association will present a Hall of Fame award to President Kikwete, who is a passionate sports fan.

Pinto further said apart from saying 'Kwaheri', the association will also use the platform to award ten athletes who have excelled during President Kikwete's tenyear leadership. "President Kikwete has played a great role in sports development in this country ... we are all aware that his fourth phase government initiated effort to hire a foreign national football team coach. He also made it possible for the national netball and boxing teams to hire foreign coaches," he said.

Pinto said all sports associations in the country will be invited to attend the event. He said TASWA is also working closely with the Ministry of Information, Youth, Culture and Sports and the National Sports Council (NSC) to host the event.