Tanzania Olympic Committee (TOC) has plans to maintain sports links with the Bradford University and benefit from training courses of the domestic athletes.
Hassan Jarufu who led the Tanzanian delegation during their floppy Olympics show in London that ended last week, said initial communication between TOC and the University officials has began.
Should everything go as planned some of the Tanzanian athletes stand to benefit from training courses offered by the Leeds-based University?
Jarufu said the two parties did not put everything into writing but only agreed to have formal agreement soon.
Tanzanian athletes attended a three-week intensive training at the University and Jarufu said TOC were impressed by the sporting facilities and staff which he said was very supportive.
“We talked on the agreement so that they can be offering sports courses to our athletes, they told us to have a formal approach on this, so it’s too early to celebrate. They accorded us with all the necessary support, they have good facilities and vast expertise”, he said.
In related development, Jarufu asked all sports stakeholders to extend cooperation so that the country’s athletes are to perform well at future tournaments.
He said for the country to excel in sports, all stakeholders must work together on facing the existing challenges.
Jarufu said at the London games he learnt that sports development can only be effective as a result of combined efforts.
“In sports we have a saying which says, After the Games is before the Games, so now we must start working together to shape the future. We must also work as a team not as individuals”, he said.
He also disclosed that TOC will soon meet all national sports associations and stakeholders in the country to see what can be done to improve sports.
Tanzanian was represented by six athletes during the London Games, swimming duo, a boxer and the rest were runners.
None of them managed to attain a competitive feat as the country continued its 32-year old tradition of perfecting as pushovers during the Olympics.
Very strange and shocking when the TOC officials happen to defend the poor display of the country’s athletes in the Games while stunningly downplaying the necessity to win medals.
