The Tanzania representatives in the Olympic Games- Athletics and Swimming teams leave the country tomorrow for Beijing China ready to fly the national flag in this year`s Games which start on Friday.
The Tanzania Olympic Committee (TOC) Secretary General, Filbert Bayi yesterday said the team would leave with a contingent of 10 people including the Minister for Information, Culture and Sports, George Mkuchika.
“All arrangements for the teams` departure have been finalised and we expect that we will leave tomorrow for Beijing. We hope to bring home medals because the athletes have prepared themselves well,“ Bayi said.
He named the runners in the team as Zakia Mrisho (5,000m), Samson Ramadhani (marathon), Samwel Kwang`w (10,000m) Getuli Bayo (marathon), Dickson Marwa (10,000m), Musenduki Mohamed (marathon), Samwel Mwera (800m) and Fabian Joseph (5,000m/10,000m) and Coach Juma Ikangaa.
Swimmers who are in the trip are Magdalena Moshi,
Khalid Rushaka and their coach John Belela. Various TOC officials are expected to accompany the team too.
On his part, Mkuchika urged the players to fight hard for medals and by so doing promote the nation’s sports status globally.
The team has been in residential training in Arusha for two months under the care of TOC before returning to Dar es Salaam last week for the last preparations of the trip.
- SOURCE: Sunday Observer
