Israel Saria
Cuban government has agreed to avail Zanzibar with an athletics coach, the Isles deputy minister for Information, Culture and Sports, Mahmood Thabit Kombo, has confirmed.
Kombo was responding to a question asked by a house of representative for Mfenesini CCM constituency, Ali Abdalla Ali, on Wednesday.
Ali wanted to know efforts taken by the government in improving the standard of athletics in the Isles so as to excel at international meets.
Kombo said the Cuban coach would train athletes in Zanzibar while scouting talents and groom them with a view of forming a team for international representation.
The Cuban athletics coach, whose credentials were scrutinised, approved and accepted by Tanzanian ambassador in Cuba, would be available in the near future. Zanzibar athletic technicians have also approved the coach’s credentials.
The deputy minister said there is a strong need for promotion of athletics in Zanzibar as a move in conformity with Isles sports policy.
The coach was supposed to fly in last January but his arrival has been postponed paving the way for completion of Amaan Stadium which is undergoing extensive refurbishment.
Kombo said Isles government is keen on implementing sports policy, a reason behind hiring an Egyptian coach for the under 17 football team.
“The government has deliberately delayed the arrival of the athletics coach until the refurbishment at the Amaan Stadium under the Chinese construction firm is complete,” said the deputy minister.
He said Isles government recently availed return flight tickets for four Zanzibar athletes to compete in cross country races in Morocco.
In related development, the deputy chief minister and minister for Information, Culture and Sports, Ali Juma Shamhuna, has said two South African netball coaches are expected to arrive before the end of the month.
The netball coaches would train local trainers as the minister urged sports leaders to extend cooperation to meet the intended athletics and netball improvement targets.
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