Israel Saria
An estimated 7bn/- has been projected to be in use by the Presidential committee specially formed to lure 2010 World Cup teams and spectators to visit Tanzania before, during or after the tournament in South Africa.
The committee, which is chaired by the minister for Infrastructure Development, Shukuru Kawambwa, convened a press conference in Dar es Salaam yesterday to unveil their ambitious plans.
Besides luring the teams and fans, the committee has also a task of embarking on a campaign to raise awareness of Tanzanians to make full use of the championship to benefit economically.
Chairman of the committee said the task of accomplishing the target is certainly weighty but remained optimistic to achieve it through hard working.
He said his committee and working groups of Tanzania Local Organizing Committee (TLOC) have made strategies which will make the country achieve its goals and benefit from the global soccer show.
“One of the strategies is the publication and improvement of our tourist destinations,” said Kawambwa, adding that infrastructure and other accommodation facilities are prime target.
He said TLOC is working to convince local and foreign airline companies to provide transport services for fans and other tourists connected with the World Cup finals.
“We are also working with football working groups of TLOC to convince qualified teams to set up their training base in Tanzania while gearing up for the showdown in South Africa,” said Kawambwa.
He said communications are on pipeline targeting national teams of France, The Netherlands, Australia, Germany, Mexico, Brazil, Japan, Italy, Denmark, South and North Korea to mention only a few.
“The committee is also optimistic to attract five other African countries who have won the World Cup berth in the likes of Nigeria, Algeria, Cote d’Ivoire, Cameroon and Ghana,” added Kawambwa.
The minister said the committee needs resources to execute the planned activities, a challenge that would involve acquisition of money to upgrade and improve infrastructure and tourism services.
“Partly, private sectors have helped us to face these challenges, but we still call for other stakeholders to emulate them,” insisted Kawambwa.
World Cup will be staged in South Africa for the first time in the history of the championship since its inauguration in 1930 at the Uruguayan capital of Montevideo.
A total of 32 countries will feature in the event with six African countries competing and the rest from other continents.
The championship will be played during winter time, another aspect slightly poses some uncertainty to entice teams that would need a reminiscent training and preparatory weather.
The championship kicks off on June 10 as the host nation meet Mexico in the opener.
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