Majaliwa appeals to AUSC Region 4 to promote sports   

Majaliwa said so at the official opening of the council's Region 4 Council of Sports Ministers meeting that was held in Arusha on Thursday.

He said the ministers should invest in building capacity to produce more players to bring about transformation in the sector through sports, stressing the body not should dilly-dally over fulfilling duties.

Majaliwa said every country's target is to see its teams clinch the trophies, especially in high-profile tournaments like the World Cup.

“If we invest in sports infrastructure and skills, and collaborate we can achieve the bigger target in the sports sector,” he said.

“We need to see that if Tanzania, Ethiopia, Uganda, or any other wins, we have all won. Let us collaborate to be an exemplary point to other zones of the African Union Sports Council,” he said.

In another development, Majaliwa urged members of the meeting to select Tanzania as the head of the council's Region 4 secretariat in the election scheduled for Thursday.

He said Tanzania has every reason to be elected due to efforts made by President Samia Suluhu Hassan's government to give the sports sector high status.

He said there is a need for transformation in international sports diplomacy and added that during President Samia's leadership, national teams and clubs have performed well in international tournaments. 

“Huge investment has been made by the government in sports infrastructure including construction of stadiums such as Benjamin Mkapa Stadium which meets FIFA and CAF criteria, the venue has once been used by Brazil's national team and Everton FC of the English Premier League,” he said.

During the meeting, President Samia sent a special message to the ministers, appealing to the latter to select Tanzania as the headquarter of the secretariat of the African Union Sport Council Region 4.

Samia noted: “Let me assure you that Tanzania has vast experience to be the headquarters of most international organizations because it has all the necessary infrastructure that can enable the council to function."

Minister for Culture, Arts, and Sports Pindi Chana said that the sports sector is among the sectors that create many jobs for the youths.

“Member countries have enacted laws to develop talents in the sports sector because sports connect Africa as one,” she said.

She said they will review laws, regulations, and procedures to develop and improve the sports sector because of its business and ability to create employment.