IRINGA: THE Tanzanian government has pledged to continue to prioritize the sports sector in the country due to its significant contribution to youth development, the national economy and promoting Tanzania internationally through various competitions.
The statement was made by the Deputy Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Hamis Mwinjuma, while closing the Tanzania Sports and Academics Union for Primary Schools (UMITASHUMTA) 2026 held in Iringa region.
Speaking at the event, Mwinjuma said the Sixth Phase Government under the leadership of Samia Suluhu Hassan has continued to invest heavily in the development of sports by recognizing its role in promoting talents, improving the health of citizens and providing jobs for thousands of youth.
He said President Samia has shown a sincere commitment to developing the sports, arts and culture sectors by creating a friendly environment that enables young people to use their talents to bring about personal development and contribute to the growth of the country’s economy.
“The government believes that sports are not just entertainment, but are an important tool for social and economic development. That is why we will continue to invest in sports infrastructure, develop various competitions and ensure that young talents are recognized and developed,” said Mwinjuma.
He explained that the efforts made by the government have begun to bear fruit, where many young people have succeeded in finding employment and income through various sports, while others have had opportunities to represent Tanzania in national teams and international competitions.
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In addition, he emphasized the importance of the UMITASHUMTA competition in identifying and developing children’s talents since they were at the primary education level, noting that some of the country’s famous athletes have gone through the competition before achieving great success.
He called on teachers, parents and sports stakeholders to continue collaborating with the government in uncovering and developing children’s talents in order to create a generation capable of competing in various sports arenas around the world.