Israel Saria
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Complete lack of motivation, disunity and poor organization rocked Tanzania’s athletes camp in the just ended continental athletics championship in Nairobi.
Dar athletes were reduced to mere novices in all the races they competed during the show as the country failed to grab a single medal.
Athletics Tanzania’s (AT) secretary general Suleiman Nyambui said there was no per diem allowances to the Tanzanian team members during the event.
Athlete Fabian Joseph, who represented the country during the 5,000 metres race held on the opening day to finish seventh, unexpectedly failed to show up for the 10,000 metres.
Joseph is alleged to have absconded to miss the race as Tanzanian slot was not utilized.
Nyambui said Joseph presumably packed home as a result of frustration owing to camp disorganisation.
Joseph is said to have complained to AT on the missing per diem allowances after he had finished the opening races.
Most of the Tanzanian athletes sought accommodation on their own thus the team lacked unity and team spirit during the event.
Nyambui threw blames on the Ministry of Information, Culture and Sports that failed to provide financial assistance to the Tanzanian team.
The Tanzanian athletes arrived in Nairobi in batches and came close to miss the registration formalities.
Securing the green light to feature in the event was itself a privilege as the athletes won the registration in close shave situations.
Nyambui said AT had presented its budget for the event within ample time but the ministry failed to respond and instead insisted for the team to compete.
However, before leaving for Nairobi, Nyambui drew optimism over the performance of the athletes to reflect how they have prepared for the Commonwealth Games.
The host nation’s athletes and others from the continent dominated the Nairobi show as Tanzanians returned home empty handed.
Most of the Tanzanian athletes are expected to return home today.
The Nairobi flop has come barely two months ahead of the Commonwealth Games to be held in New Delhi.
Failure by Tanzanian athletes in high-profile athletic events has now been a regulation.
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