Israel Saria
In the first of this series of articles about sports in Tanzania, I wrote about the importance of investing in promotion of sports in Tanzania. This also goes for investment in sports tourism. If the Tanzanian Government developed sports facilities across the country from Kigoma, Mwanza, Arusha all the way to Mtwara, this would attract many sports-loving enthusiasts.
The construction and setting up of such facilities would spur growth in the construction sector and see Arusha, for instance, have an indoor stadium for all manner of sports. If the leading Tennis, Cycling, Motor Racing, Football and Athletics stars among others started making Arusha their annual destination, this would have a positive effect on the economy.
Besides, the facilities, which would mean Ameru would have access to world-class facilities, there would be even more money in the local economy, jobs created, and increased tax revenue. Not long ago, a debate in Tanzania occurred on Twitter with the Minister for Tourism suggesting highly regarded football teams were interested in promoting Tanzania’s tourism.
The reality is that if Tanzania were to invest in 1 st class facilities it would in itself create the environment for expansion. Dubai has created such facilities just as the same has happened in Barcelona. The broadcasting industry, these days, control the world of sports. The rights for of example to broadcast Olympics 2028 have already been negotiated and sold 8 years before the said Olympics.
If Azam Media was to bid and win the rights to broadcast the Africa Cup of Nations that would in itself create thousands of jobs which is doable. But it requires tens if not hundreds of millions of dollars. It then comes with, besides jobs, huge revenues generated from broadcast rights re-sales in other continents. A digital library alone would be immense. There would be considerable benefits to be accrued beyond just for the rights holder. All of these things are based on the opportunity but also on the drive to get things done.
It is in the interest of the Tanzania of our future Hassan Mwakinyo’s, our Filbert Bayi’s, our Suleiman Nyambui’s and other greats that Tanzania of today invests its future in sports.
The level of private investments in sports and sports tourism would increase just as a partnership with foreign sporting agents, thus opening the world to our youth to opportunities in the world – and putting Tanzania on the map where sports is concerned.
