DAR ES SALAAM: DEPUTY Minister for Information, Culture and Sports, Hamis Mwinjuma, has pledged government support for the pool table sport after learning of its consistent representation of the country in continental and global competitions.
Mwinjuma made the pledge at the weekend after attending the finals of the National Pool Championship held in Dar es Salaam.
The tournament was organised by the Tanzania Pool Association (TAPA) in partnership with Skylight Pool Club and broadcaster Azam Media.
He said the government was ready to support preparations for the national men’s and women’s teams ahead of international competitions next year, including Olympic level events expected to be staged in South Africa.
He urged TAPA officials to submit their needs to his office promptly to allow early action.
In the singles final, Abdallah Hussein of The Snipers Club defeated Festo Yohana of Skylight Club 11–8 to win the title and a cash prize of 3m/-. Yohana received 1.5m/- as runner-up.
The Snipers Club, based in Sinza, Dar es Salaam, also claimed the team title after beating Skylight Club 13–10.
TAPA’s chairman welcomed the government’s pledge, saying the sport had operated largely through stakeholder support since 2014 and that official backing would mark a significant turning point.