Three firms yesterday raised 7.6m/- to support the Boxing Federation of Tanzania (BFT). The money will facilitate the preparations of 10 boxers searching for the Olympic Games qualifying marks in Algeria from January 22-31.
The Olympic Games will be held in Beijing, China in August.
Firms are Bank M (Tanzania) Limited donated 6,550,000/-, Dealguard System 500,000/- and CXC Tours and Travel Agency 625,000/-.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony held at the residence of the retired president Ali Hassan Mwinyi, Bank M Communications Director Johnson Mshana said their bank was very proud to sponsor the boxers.
“We will be very happy to see Tanzanian boxers win medals in the Olympic Games,“ he said.
On his part, CXC Public Relations Manager Phil Mmary said his company was so keen to see that boxers compete in Algeria and later qualify for the Olympic Games.
The former Tanzania President, Ali Hassan Mwinyi, who hosted the ceremony, hailed the three companies for their support and appealed to others to follow their footsteps.
“This shows how much Tanzanians are now awake on sports. I am very happy to see local firms supporting local sports. This is a good start“ the former president said.
BFT President Shaban Mintanga said they were very happy to receive the support, saying they believed the team would qualify.
“On Friday we will have a special tournament to select 10 boxers who will go to Algeria,“ Mintanga added.
Some 20 boxers are currently camping at Salvation Army Hostels in Dar es Salaam under the tutelages of Nassoro Michael and Michael Ngabo.
