Minister unveils Olympic torch relay committee

The Minister for Information, Culture and Sports, Muhammed Seif Khatib, yesterday launched a committee which will handle the 2008 Olympic Touch Relay in Dar es Salaam from April 12-15.

The minister said Tanzania was one of the 22 countries in the world picked to host the torch as a compaign for the Olympic Games to be in Beijing, China in August.

He said the coming of the touch would promote tourist sector in the country.

“The event is very important to us as it will market our tourism sector. The torch plane will come with 160 people,“ he said.

He named members of committee as Dar es Salaam Special Zone Police Commander Alfred Tibaigana who will head security, Tido Mhando (Press), Charles Nyange (transportation) and Bakari Kingodi (celebration).

Others are Deo Mutasiwa (treatment and environment), Henry Tandau (marketing and sponsorship) and Lilian Mukasa (protocol).

The Dar es Salaam Mayor, Adam Kimbisa, is the head of all committees.

The Tanzania Olympic Committee (TOC) Secretary-General, Filbert Bayi, said the touch would arrive in Dar es Salaam on 12 April and the relay will start on 13 April.

The 2008 Olympic Torch Relay is organized by China under the sponsorship of Coca-Cola and Samsung.