The competition saw Spain national women team clinching the title after beating Colombia 1-0. Nigeria finished third and Germany in the fourth place respectively.
To put things in record, Serengeti Girls were the first national team to reach the World Cup final in the history of Tanzania.
Records show that some of our squads in other sporting activities apart from football, that is, athletics and swimming have managed to compete in World Cup finals but without qualifying for the stage.
But, Serengeti Girls competed all the way from the continental qualifications and secured the place after much sweat. This, indeed, is a sign that Tanzania is making progress in sports.
To top it all, the players who made the wonders were those without big names. It means good scouting was conducted as well as good preparations, including training were put in.
This leaves a lesson to other sports bodies. They need to up their standards and build strong foundations especially among the youngsters so that they are well prepared for continental competitions and bring home achievements as of Serengeti Girls.
It is the lackadaisical approach to sporting activities which the relevant authorities must erase from the minds of ordinary Tanzanians, particularly the youth.
It is worrisome that some associations don’t stage age group competitions, which are scouting platforms for untapped talent in almost every sport.
These organisations should mourn that their respective sports are in decline as they are the main saboteurs of government efforts to revive and promote every sport.
These associations must also select qualified coaches for young athletes if they really want Tanzania to succeed in sports.
To the athletes, they should show their patriotism and refrain from competing in high-profile championships as mere participants. It can be done, Serengeti Girls have shown us.
Act on water woes now
That ‘water is life,’ is not just a saying, it is a reality that authorities have failed to live with it when it comes to provision and access of clean water for all.
Authorities have failed to bring to life the saying mainly due to being irresponsible and lack of vision.
Dar es Salaam, and many other regions like Dodoma have been hardly hit with water scarcity, forcing Water minister Juma Aweso to summon the Drilling and Dam Construction to flush at least 197 water wells in order to restore water access in the city.
A good gesture indeed.
However, tackling such a national problem need also to be backed by long term plans, considering that Tanzania’s 61.7 million population is soon expected to hit 100 million people.
There was once an article about former Libyan leader Muamar Gaddafi’s Great Man-Made desert river project, for provision of clean water.
Such bold action tells us the kind of visionary leaders needed in our modern times.
That Tanzania is surrounded with numerous lakes, yet experiencing water woes, year after year, is hard to imagine.
Let us have visionary leaders who will focus for the generation to come.
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Tanzania: Exim to Raise Fund for Mental Health Facilities Upgrades
EXIM Bank to raise 300m/- over the next three years for financing essential services and infrastructure upgrades in mental health facilities.
The bank’s Head of Marketing and Communications Stanley Kafu unveiled this when introducing Exim Bima Festival 2024 as a platform for bringing together individuals, organisations and various sectors for raising the funds.
“Exim’s initiative aligns with the government’s broader goals to ensure that every citizen has access to quality healthcare, including mental health services,” he said.
The initiative, which is one of the events for celebrating the bank’s 27th anniversary is scheduled for Wednesday this week in Dar es Salaam.
Mr Kafu highlights that this year’s festival is not only about raising awareness of the importance of insurance in the society but also focuses on enhancing access to mental health services and improving the overall well-being of the nation.
Statistics from the Ministry of Health shows a staggering 82 per cent increase in mental health cases over the past decade.
Mental cases have risen from 386,358 in 2012 to 2,102,726 in 2021, making the need for mental health services more urgent than ever.
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Unfortunately, the country’s ability to address this growing challenge is hindered by a shortage of mental health professionals, infrastructure, medical equipment and essential medication.
For example, out of the 28 regions in the country, only five have facilities that provide adequate mental health services.
The most affected group is the youth aged 15 to 39, who represent the nation’s workforce, underscoring the need for intensified efforts to safeguard this generation for Tanzania’s future well-being and development.
Mr Kafu said by improving mental health services, Exim aims to contribute to the creation of a network of communities that can access care quickly and affordably.
Exim Insurance Department Manager Tike Mwakyoma said they are appreciating the support from partners in the insurance industry, who have stood by them since the last festival.
“Let’s continue this unity for the development of all Tanzanians and our nation as a whole,” the manager said.
Source: allafrica.com
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