Unprofessional Circumstances Tragedy to Tanzania Sports

TANZANIA had a week to forget in sports after seeing their teams, both Taifa Stars and 'Serengeti Boys', dismissed out of the African championship qualifiers.

Taifa Stars were disbanded by Mozambique on 4-3 aggregate in the second round of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, while their young brothers 'Serengeti Boys' were humiliated 4-0 aggregate by South Africa's Amajimbos in the U-17 Africa championship qualifiers.

However, the misery of all was compounded by 'Team Tanzania' that could not even go closer to medal chart at the just concluded Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. This is the second time in succession that the country has failed to win anything in the Games. In 2010 New Delhi event, Tanzania also fired blanks.

Following poor performance of 'Team Tanzania' in the Glasgow Games, some quarters raised concerns urging the government to consider putting the country's participation in top international events on hold, until it rebuilds strong sports culture and winning mentality, which they say was currently utterly lacking.

Appalled by the performance, sports stakeholders have suggested that the country should stop participating in international competitions for short-term period in an attempt to focus on generating young talents and rebuild the country's sports to erase the national shame in international sports arena.

However, Secretary General of the National Sports Council (NSC), Henry Lihaya doesn't think that pulling out of such events as Commonwealth, Olympics and All African Games as a lasting solution to the country debacle in sports.

He thinks that doing such a thing will limit sports development in the country, instead he said taking part in various international sports events will continue to give athletes experience plus upgrading their levels of performance Whether they are right or wrong to think the way they are thinking that remains subject for discussions.

A quick analysis to what may have transpired in Glasgow could still be pegged on an old saying goes: "If you want to change things, you have to interfere!"

The five multi-events -- Beijing Olympics (2008), New Delhi Commonwealth Games (2010), Maputo All Africa Games (2011), London Olympics (2012) and Glasgow Commonwealth Games (2014) have confirmed that Tanzania has definitely reached the bottom in sports among African countries.

In- fact, the country is now at crossroads either to continue to dream about medals or changes its approach towards "High Performance Sport" radically.

The lam excuse of lacking funds becomes slowly boring. Apparently, our shortcomings in sport are homemade. Again, the reason for this helplessness is the mentality of most office bearers who are not motivated to learn while enjoying their comfort zones... while neighbour countries, despite the same socio-economic problems are progressing in sports.

Our sports organs have continued to show their inability to manage high performance sport over years. Probably they are happy with the Olympic philosophy, that participating is more important for Tanzania than achieving results. Why particular AT - athletes cannot perform?

According to German expert Hans Peter Thumm, who worked in the country previously, the decline of athletics, which could be the mother of all sports in Tanzania is absolutely house made.

SOURCE: Daily News VIA alafrica.com