100 days: Too early to judge Magufuli in sports

When he was sworn in on November 5, 2015, Magufuli made a number of pledges and promises. Running on the ruling party ticket, President Magufuli campaign promised positive changes in various sectors.

Magufuli, who used to be a goalkeeper in his tee and mid twenties era, he belongs to a party which backs sports with galore stadiums across the country, hence the biggest contributor to sports infrastructure and development.

He has been given the benefit of doubt that his quest for radical change would for sure not overlook the quest for sports development.

To be fair to Magufuli, though most stakeholders expects more, even if expectation falls short at the end of his term, he cannot be criticised for empty promises because he did not really promise much in sports.

As he marks his hundredth day in office, the public can only point to the appointment of Minister Nape Nnauye as the sports representative for the government, one that can make direct intervention in sports on behalf of the President when necessary.

The appointment of Nnauye came as a surprise to many even the so called insiders. It was disappointment to those who had hoped Magufuli would appoint a technocrat as a minister.

But some saw it otherwise and were quick to point Nape’s controversial style would help in tackling with dodgy sports administrators. One cheeky observer commented that Nape’s infamous or famous quote’ depending on whichever side one maybe in the political polarity, ‘ Bao la mkono’ revealed a man who has strong link to sports.

Thus, within short time in office, Magufuli’s influence in sports can be viewed in what his chosen one has done in the sports docket. Nape has not done anything radical so far.

Apart from the retorts he has done more of the same, attending functions and opening ceremonies. Going by the President’s hectic work in a new office, there is little that can be achieved within a hundred days, but there is more that could have been done.

In that respect, there is hardly nothing to suggest Tanzanian sports sector is about to begin a new chapter. Neither Magufuli nor the man he has delegated duties to, Nape, has shown any change of policy in sports.

An X-ray of Nape 100 days in charge of the sports docket reveals a bit of improvement when compared to his predecessor. Like his predecessor, Nape has taken reactive approach to issues only that he is more aggressive in his pursuant of solutions.

He pursued the Stand United leadership crisis to the end within a short time. He investigated the situation and came up with a decisive solution even if it might have only pleased one side.

He has also promised to see the government offer helping in the payment of national team coaches that was started during the reign of Magufuli’s predecessor. It has been reported that the current national football team, Charles Mkwasa’s payment has been allegedly delayed.

It’s not clear whether this might be one of the governments new cost cutting measures or a temporary move to check some controls. While Nape insists that the government would continue financial support, they have mixed reactions from lower lieutenants who have hinted the government might actually do otherwise.

Reliable sources though yet to be confirmed have it that top officials at the sports docket have been suspended pending investigations. If true, this would perhaps be the ‘greatest’ tackling of the alleged lack of transparency, and poor administration linked to sports.

It is too early to judge Magufuli but truth be told he must be given the benefit of doubt that positive measures would benefit sportsmen and women of this country; with time this will tell.

For sure a crackdown of poor sports administration is expected. It can be said that, sports in the last 100 days remained a sector that is yet to feel the impact of the much hyped the ‘Hapa Kazi Tu’ slogan. However, his hundred days has passed with huge wave of Magufuli’s hidden blessings as Tanzania exported a highly competent footballer to Belgium, this is none other than Mbwana Samatta.

Samatta secured a lucrative football deal when Magufuli is in power and moreover the President’s era promises more as Stand United duo are on their way to join TP Mazembe, another trustful gateway to European soccer. We believe Magufuli, the former goalkeeper is on his way to lead us into successful sports and entertainment milestone.