In a statement issued by TPLB's Information and Communication Department, it disclosed during the two years, President Samia has been at the forefront of all issues about soccer promotion domestically.
According to the TPLB, the President has set a favourable environment for the game and motivated the footballers.
The statement noted that recently Tanzanians have seen the President inspire prominent local football clubs, Simba SC and Yanga, in such a way that the outfits have secured progression to the last eight's stages of the 2022/23 CAF Champions League and 2022/23 CAF Confederation Cup respectively.
The 5m/- prize money presented by the President to the two sides for every goal scored in the Group Stage of their respective showdowns, TPLB pointed out, has to a great extent brought about such success.
The TPLB revealed Simba SC and Yanga officials and players have, on several occasions, thanked President Samia and conceded her gesture has inspired the clubs to achieve such a feat.
The statement pointed out: "TPLB values cooperation the government, through the Ministry of Culture, Arts, and Sports, offers the board and teams throughout."
The TPLB further lauded Simba SC and Yanga for securing qualification for the last eight of this season's African inter-club tournaments.
The board noted the achievement has brought honour to the country and its soccer.
All football stakeholders in the country, the board pointed out, have generously chipped in and they, therefore, deserve praise.
The stakeholders' efforts, it stated, have helped the country enjoy significant achievement.
The statement said: "TPLB thanks sports journalists, soccer followers, and other stakeholders who have worked tirelessly and requested them to keep on working with TPLB in the coming stage.
Simba SC sealed its progression to the 2022/23 CAF Champions League last eight with a comprehensive 7-0 win over Guinea's Horoya Athletic Club in a Group C encounter that took place in Dar es Salaam on Saturday.
The outcome has left Simba SC sitting second with nine points from five games, trailing group leader, Morocco's Raja Club Athletic which has posted 13 points from five clashes.
Yanga booked a place in the CAF Confederation Cup's last eight having clobbered Tunisia's US Monastir 2-0 in Group D tie that took place in Dar es Salaam on Sunday.
The Tanzania soccer big gun, for that matter, is leading the rest of the pack in Group D having notched 10 points.
The group leader's better goal difference has relegated US Monastir to second place.
The Tunisian club, which has equally progressed to the last eight, has also collected 10 points, followed by third-placed AS Real Bamako of Mali with five points and DR Congo's TP Mazembe which is placed fourth with three points.
Meanwhile, Minister for Culture, Arts, and Sports Pindi Chana has revealed the government has pledged to hand over prize money totaling 500m/- to the senior national soccer squad, Taifa Stars, should the squad sail through to 2023 Africa Cup of Nations slated for January–February 2024 in Ivory Coast.
Pindi, accompanied by the ministry's Deputy Minister Hamisi Mwinjuma and Permanent Secretary Saidi Yakubu when she held a press conference in Dar es Salaam yesterday, appealed to the country's soccer enthusiasts to support Taifa Stars.
Taifa Stars is currently placed third in Group F of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, having recorded one point.
Algeria (six points) leads the group, followed by Niger (two points) positioned second, and Uganda placed last with one point.
The Tanzania team will, on March 24, lock horns with Uganda in a clash slated to take place at Suez Canal Stadium in Egypt.
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