Category: The Citizen

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s football heavyweights Young Africans, Simba and Azam FC have been handed relatively favourable fixtures following the draw for the round of 16 of the CRDB Federation Cup, conducted yesterday.

The knockout competition, which remains one of the most prestigious domestic trophies, carries added significance this season as the eventual winner will earn the right to represent Tanzania in the CAF Confederation Cup next campaign. Defending champions Young Africans, popularly known as Yanga, were drawn against Polisi Tanzania from the Championship division.

The tie presents an opportunity for the holders to assert their dominance early, although cup history has repeatedly shown that lower division sides can be dangerous opponents in one off encounters. Simba, who are also chasing silverware to complement their continental ambitions, will face B19 FC, another side from the second tier.

On paper, the Reds are clear favourites, but the fixture still demands focus as Championship teams often treat matches against giants as career defining occasions. Azam FC, the third member of the traditional “big three,” were drawn against Mbeya Kwanza, while Singida Black Stars will take on Songea United, both also from the Championship division.

All round of 16 matches are scheduled to be played between April 9 and 11, according to the official draw. Several intriguing fixtures feature elsewhere in the draw.

Geita Gold will meet Nyika, while JKT Tanzania face Hausang. Coastal rivals Coastal Union and Stand United will also battle for a quarterfinal slot.

Other ties include Namungo versus Kagera Sugar, Mbeya City against Bandari Tanzania, and Fountain Gate taking on Gunners. The draw also mapped out the potential quarterfinal clashes.

The winner between Young Africans and Polisi Tanzania will face either Tanzania Prisons or TMA Stars. Simba, should they overcome B19 FC, will meet the winner between Dodoma Jiji and African Sports.

Azam FC’s path could see them face the winner of Fountain Gate versus Gunners, while Singida Black Stars will square off against whoever emerges victorious between Mbeya City and Bandari Tanzania. Elsewhere, the winner between Namungo and Kagera Sugar will play either TRA United or Kijiwe Nongwa.

Additional projected ties show the winner of Coastal Union versus Stand United meeting the victor between Pamba Jiji and Transit Camp. The winner between JKT Tanzania and Hausang will face either Mtibwa Sugar or Mbuni, while the winner of Geita Gold versus Nyika will take on the victor between Mashujaa and KenGold.

.

Dar es Salaam. The Tanzania Football Federation is positioning itself to tap into the vast commercial potential of the global betting industry, estimated to be worth billions of shillings, as local betting firms scramble to secure formal partnerships linked to domestic football fixtures.

In a bold strategic shift, TFF has announced plans to formalise and monetise betting rights associated with its competitions. The move signals the federation’s intention to treat its fixtures not merely as sporting events, but as valuable intellectual property assets within a rapidly expanding betting ecosystem.

He said the Tanzania Mainland Premier League is now ranked sixth on the African continent, a position that underscores its growing significance in the development and valuation of the competition. The pilot phase of the initiative will centre on the highly anticipated Kariakoo derby between Young Africans and Simba, scheduled for March 1 at the New Amaan Complex in Zanzibar.

Betting companies across the country are now locked in fierce competition to secure rights linked to the blockbuster encounter. TFF has invited licensed betting firms to bid for partnership rights for the match.

The primary objective of the pilot project is to gather key data, including the number of bettors participating and the total revenue generated from wagers placed on the game. According to sources, the collected data will provide the federation with a clearer picture of the scale and economic impact of betting activities surrounding domestic fixtures.

The source said the insights will also feed into TFF’s ongoing valuation process of its leagues and other football assets to determine their true commercial worth. “In what could be a first in the country, TFF is expected to conduct a live auction process to award betting partnership rights, marking a significant evolution in how football properties are commercialised locally,” said the source.

A source close to the development said the federation’s decision is aimed at ensuring Tanzanian football benefits directly from wagers placed on its competitions. “The betting industry, driven by digital platforms, mobile money penetration and growing fan engagement, has witnessed exponential growth across Africa.

Tanzania is no exception, with thousands of fans placing bets weekly on local and international matches,” the source said. By asserting greater control over fixture-related rights, TFF aims to create a regulated framework under which betting companies can access official data and branding through structured agreements.

He said such arrangements would open up new revenue streams for the federation, potentially supporting grassroots football development, improvements in refereeing standards, women’s football programs and national team preparations. The development mirrors broader continental and global trends, where football governing bodies are increasingly recognising the commercial value embedded in match data and fixtures.

In South Africa, the Premier Soccer League previously defended its intellectual property in a landmark legal battle over betting rights, reinforcing the principle that leagues and federations hold proprietary interests in their competitions. South Africa’s PSL discovered their fixtures generated 300 million rands (S2 billions) annually.

TFF’s initiative could therefore mark a turning point in the financial sustainability of Tanzanian football. “Globally, modern sports business models now rely heavily on diversified revenue architecture that includes data rights, streaming partnerships and regulated betting collaborations.

If successfully implemented, the strategy could significantly reshape the economic landscape of the game in Tanzania,” he said. By unlocking the commercial value of its fixtures, TFF would not merely be pursuing short-term financial gains, but laying the foundation for a stronger, self-sustaining football ecosystem.

Ultimately, the federation’s ambition is clear: to ensure that a meaningful share of the billions circulating within betting markets flows back into the development and growth of the sport at home. .

Johannesburg. South Africa’s government said on Tuesday that 11 of a group of 17 men who were lured into fighting for Russia in Ukraine were set to return home soon, after an initial four landed back in the country last week.

A further two remained in Russia, with one in a hospital in Moscow, President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office said in a statement. Ramaphosa raised the fate of the 17 men, who sent distress calls to the South African government in November after getting trapped in Ukraine’s Donbas region, in a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin this month.

Reports of African men being lured into Russia with promises of jobs and ending up on Ukraine’s front line have become more frequent in recent months, creating tensions between Moscow and some of the countries involved. A Kenyan intelligence report presented to lawmakers last week estimated that more than 1,000 Kenyans had been recruited to fight on Russia’s side in the war in Ukraine.

Kenya’s foreign minister has said he plans to visit Russia to address the issue. South Africa has sought to maintain a non-aligned stance on the conflict in Ukraine, while preserving strong ties with Moscow as a fellow BRICS member alongside Brazil, India and China.

Reports of African men being lured into Russia with promises of jobs and ending up on Ukraine’s front line have become more frequent in recent months, creating tensions between Moscow and some of the countries involved. Under South African law, it is illegal for citizens to provide military assistance to foreign governments or participate in foreign armies unless authorised to do so.

Much of the Donbas is controlled by Russian forces and fighting has been heavy there since Russia invaded Ukraine four years ago. .

Ahmedabad. South Africa bulldozed defending champions India by 76 runs in their Super Eight Group One clash in the Twenty20 World Cup, underlining their title credentials and sending a strong signal to their rivals.

Choosing to bat in a rematch of the 2024 World Cup final, South Africa surged to a commanding 1877 following a remarkable recovery from a precarious 20-3. In reply, tournament co-hosts India’s timid top-order faltered swiftly, and their innings never quite escaped the grip of scoreboard pressure. They were bundled out for 111 in 18.5 overs, slipping to their first defeat of the World Cup.

“We played against them a lot as well,” David Miller, whose breezy 63 earned him player-of-the-match award, said of the Indian bowlers. “So it was just matching the intensity, if not raising the intensity, against their bowlers, and putting them under the pump.

“They are good bowlers, but they do bowl bad balls. So it’s making sure you’re in that position to do that.

” Earlier, India quickly took the sting out of South Africa’s top-order following Aiden Markram’s decision to bat first at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Jasprit Bumrah bowled Quinton de Kock, while Arshdeep Singh had Markram snared at mid-off to leave South Africa without any of their openers inside three overs.

Bumrah’s control (315) shone again when he, with a deft change of pace, deceived Ryan Rickelton, who chipped tamely to Shivam Dube at midoff. From there, a blistering 97run partnership between Miller and Dewald Brevis (45) not only halted the slide but also turned the heat back on India.

Brevis missed a welldeserved fifty but Miller powered to his in just 26 balls. Spinner Varun Chakravarthy removed Miller in the 16th over, but Tristan Stubbs provided the last flourish with an unbeaten 44 off 24 balls that included three sixes.

.

Guadalajara. Four soccer games in Mexico were postponed after violence flared near Guadalajara, one of the country’s host cities for the 2026 World Cup, in the wake of a military operation on Sunday that left cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera, “El Mencho”, dead.

Oseguera, 59, mastermind of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), died in custody after being injured in a special forces operation on Mexico’s Pacific coast in Jalisco state, according to the defense ministry. The Mexican league said on its social media pages that two top-tier games scheduled for Sunday – Queretaro v FC Juarez in the men’s league and Chivas v America in the women’s league – had been postponed indefinitely.

Two second division matches scheduled for Sunday were also called off, local media reported. Sunday’s women’s match between Necaxa and Queretaro in Aguascalientes was suspended when players fled the pitch after hearing loud noises outside Estadio Victoria, which media reports described as gunshots.

The match later resumed, with Necaxa winning 2-1. The Mexico national team is due to face Iceland in a friendly fixture at the Corregidora Stadium in Queretaro. Meanwhile, organisers of the Mexican Open men’s tennis tournament in Acapulco said the event would begin on Monday as scheduled under established security protocols.

The Merida Open women’s tournament in the eastern part of the country also proceeded as planned. “The WTA is aware of security incidents reported in parts of western Mexico.

The safety of players, staff, and spectators remains our top priority,” the WTA said in a statement, adding that authorities had increased police presence around the tournament venue. After reports of El Mencho’s death, suspected cartel members blockaded highways with burning cars and torched businesses in more than half a dozen states.

No civilian deaths were reported. Estadio Akron in Zapopan, Guadalajara, is one of three Mexican venues set to host World Cup matches this summer.

The stadium will also host playoff matches between Congo, Jamaica and New Caledonia from March 26-31. FIFA, football’s global governing body, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on security measures. In Jalisco’s popular beach resort of Puerto Vallarta, frightened tourists on social media described plumes of dark smoke rising into the sky from around the bay.

Air Canada, United Airlines, Aeromexico and American Airlines suspended flights in the area. .

Dar es Salaam. The Drug Control and Enforcement Authority (DCEA) has confirmed that every corpse repatriated to Tanzania is now subjected to mandatory screening to determine whether human remains are being exploited to traffic illicit drugs.

DCEA Commissioner General, Mr Aretas Lyimo, said the move follows the discovery of a gruesome tactic in which traffickers hollow out corpses to conceal narcotics. He said supecialised scanners have been installed at all major airports to facilitate inspections.

Speaking in a recent exclusive interview with The Citizen’s sister newspaper, Mwananchi at DCEA headquarters in Dar es Salaam, Mr Lyimo explained that traffickers surgically remove internal organs or brain matter to create space for drugs. “As authorities tightened controls on traditional smuggling methods, such as swallowing drug pellets, cartels turned to exploiting the dead.

They incise the abdomen and fill it with narcotics, or open the skull, remove the brain, and pack it with drugs before sealing it with glue in a way that is difficult to detect visually,” he said. Following the discovery, scanners were deployed at all entry points.

Everybody entering the country is screened to ensure cranial and abdominal cavities have not been tampered with. Mr Lyimo confirmed that the intensified surveillance led to a major seizure in 2024, when a corpse arriving from South Africa was found meticulously packed with narcotics.

“They had removed the entire brain and intestines to fill the cavities. Imagine a family preparing for burial, unaware their loved one’s body is a drug consignment,” he added.

Asset forfeiture and implementation Turning to the financial crackdown, Mr Lyimo said the government has intensified seizure of assets belonging to drug kingpins, following observations that many convicted traffickers return to the trade using wealth accumulated before imprisonment. Legislative amendments now allow the State to confiscate assets acquired within 10 years before arrest.

Over the past decade, the DCEA has seized property valued at Sh3.3 billion, including high-value items. On procedure, Mr Lyimo said the DCEA opens a primary criminal case for trafficking alongside a separate civil case for asset forfeiture.

“All assets acquired by a suspect within 10 years are legally presumed to be proceeds of crime. Once the trafficking case concludes, forfeiture proceedings follow,” he explained.

Where a suspect remains at large, the authority may still freeze or seize property, which is handed over to the Treasury Registrar for management. “The Registrar decides whether to auction the items to boost government revenue or allocate them for official State use.

We cannot use these assets without express Treasury approval,” clarified Mr Lyimo. Destruction of narcotics On disposal, the Commissioner General said drugs are destroyed only after a court permit following a conviction.

Strict protocols safeguard evidence integrity. Before destruction, drugs are re-weighed and tested by the Chief Government Chemist to ensure type and quantity match the case file, confirming nothing was substituted during trial.

“Once verified, they are destroyed. Perishables such as khat may be destroyed before sentencing to prevent health hazards,” he said.

Marijuana farms are destroyed on-site. Given the large volumes, magistrates often visit farms to witness the process, after which a formal report is prepared.

Asked whether seized drugs could be diverted for medicinal use, Mr Lyimo was unequivocal: “The government has lawful channels for importing medicinal drugs. Anything seized as illicit is destroyed in full because it entered the country unlawfully.

” Delays in legal proceedings On concerns about slow drug-related cases, Mr Lyimo attributed delays to the heavy burden of proof required, given severe penalties. “If you arrest someone with khat, you must obtain forensic confirmation from the Chief Government Chemist.

To seize property, you coordinate with the Ministry of Lands, and for vehicles, obtain records from the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA),” he explained. Each institution conducts independent investigations and submits formal feedback.

“This inter-agency coordination takes time, which is why investigations often appear prolonged. It is necessary to ensure documentation is airtight for the court,” he added.

The rise of ‘Skunk’ Mr Lyimo warned of a global push encouraging African nations to legalise marijuana cultivation under the guise of economic growth. He noted that countries including Malawi, Eswatini, and South Africa have moved towards legalisation, but the anticipated economic gains have often proved illusory.

He cited a Tanzanian investor who sold property to raise Sh300 million to cultivate marijuana in Malawi after being denied a local permit. “We rejected the request following an assessment showing social costs outweighed potential tax benefits,” said Mr Lyimo.

The investor later suffered financial ruin, with Malawi reportedly unable to sell even 40 percent of its legal crop, leaving him with major losses. “He is in distress, unable to repay loans, and suffered a stroke.

We even assisted by purchasing a walking frame,” he added. When promised international buyers failed to appear, surplus crops led to the use of processing technologies to produce ‘skunk’, a highly potent hybrid.

“Natural cannabis contains two to 13 percent THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Skunk contains 40 to 60 percent.

Some skunk-infused products, including sweets seized in Mbeya, contained 90 percent THC. That is pure poison,” he warned.

Tanzania does not produce skunk; it is smuggled from neighbouring countries where cultivation is legal. The DCEA remains on high alert to intercept these high-potency drugs at the border.

.

Dar es Salaam. As generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools continue to evolve rapidly, stakeholders in Tanzania’s film industry say the technology could reshape film-making, particularly in visual effects, post-production and advertising while raising important questions about creativity and artistic identity.

The discussion comes amid growing global adoption of generative AI across creative industries. In music, AI-generated songs have already blurred the line between machine-made and human-produced content, with many listeners unable to tell the difference.

Online platforms are now saturated with AI-curated playlists and short films that appear indistinguishable from traditionally produced work. This shift has been further amplified by the recent release of Seedance 2.

0, a generative AI video tool developed by Bytedance, a Chinese technology firm. The platform can reportedly create cinema-quality video, complete with dialogue and sound effects, from a simple text prompt, an innovation that has sparked interest and debate among filmmakers.

Industry observers say such tools could significantly reduce production costs, which have long been a major barrier within Tanzania’s film sector. Film producer Doreen Kilimbe, popularly known as Dodo, said generative AI (GenAi) presents opportunities for the local industry, particularly in technical areas, but warned against overdependence on the technology.

“These tools have potential, especially in visual effects and post-production, but only if they are used responsibly,” she said. Ms Kilimbe noted that Tanzania’s film industry is still growing and faces numerous structural challenges.

“If filmmakers choose to depend entirely on AI tools to make films, the quality will suffer,” she said. She emphasised that AI remains dependent on human direction.

“The filmmaker still controls the story, the vision and how the technology is used to bring that vision to life,” she said, adding that storytelling should remain the foundation of filmmaking. “We must remember that film begins with narrative and human perspective before technology,” she added.

That need to balance innovation with creativity is also echoed by film director and scriptwriter Lovin Keffa, who believes the industry should begin preparing for a future where AI plays a supportive, rather than dominant, role. “As an industry, we need to start investing in AI education and technology because this is where the world is heading,” he said.

Mr Keffa pointed to the music industry, where AI-generated gospel, Afro pop and pop songs have gained popularity. “I have been following the progress of some AI tools from China, and the level of quality is impressive.

If applied carefully, they could help elevate technical capacity within Bongo Movie,” he said. However, he also warned that excessive reliance on GenAI could weaken artistic depth.

“There is a risk that filmmakers may rely too much on readymade tools and spend less time being creative. That could result in ordinary work,” he said, stressing the importance of preserving originality.

From a production standpoint, video director Deo Abel said cost pressures remain one of the most persistent obstacles facing filmmakers. “A lot of time and energy is spent during the early stages, concept visualization, storyboarding and scene prototyping and this alone can be overwhelming for directors,” he said.

Mr Abel added that these early processes often consume significant resources before filming begins, leaving many projects unfinished. “If AI tools are used correctly, they can help simplify visual concept development and reduce the time and costs associated with early creative stages,” he said.

Looking beyond film production, technology expert Dominick Dismas said generative AI could offer immediate, practical benefits in advertising and digital content creation. “Filmmakers do not have to start with large productions.

AI can be used to create trailers, video advertisements, product demonstrations and social media content quickly and at a lower cost,” he said. Mr Dismas added that the technology could help democratize filmmaking by lowering entry barriers.

“This allows aspiring filmmakers and content creators to express cinematic ideas without massive budgets, potentially opening new economic opportunities in content creation,” he said. With generative AI steadily entering the creative space, Tanzania’s film industry faces a defining moment.

Used thoughtfully, the technology could strengthen production capacity, empower new creators and unlock economic opportunities. .

Arusha. The head of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT), Dr Alex Malasusa, has called on financial institutions to extend banking services to groups that remain excluded from the formal financial system, stressing that access to credit and financial literacy is vital for economic empowerment.

Dr Malasusa made the remarks during the launch of a new branch of Maendeleo Bank in Arusha on Tuesday February 24, 2026. The branch is the sixth nationwide and the first to be opened outside Dar es Salaam since the bank was established in 2013. He said a key indicator of a bank’s success is its ability to create an enabling environment that supports marginalised communities by equipping them with appropriate financial education and access to affordable loans. “Maendeleo Bank has extensive experience in working with groups that have long been neglected by formal financial institutions, including boda boda riders and food vendors.

We must continue integrating such groups into the financial system. That is our policy and direction,” he said.

Dr Malasusa noted that limited financial literacy remains a major obstacle to inclusive growth. “What is lacking is financial education.

Many people have money but do not know how to use it productively. Others have time but do not know how to invest it.

They are engaged in business and other activities without adequate financial knowledge. I urge the bank to continue reaching those who have yet to access formal financial services,” he said.

Although Maendeleo Bank is owned by the ELCT, he emphasised that it serves all Tanzanians regardless of their religious beliefs, underscoring that the church’s mission includes both spiritual and social support. He also urged employees of the bank and other church institutions to uphold integrity and professionalism in their work, noting that while the institution operates in a competitive financial environment, honesty and ethical conduct must remain paramount.

The bank’s Managing Director, Mr Lomnyaki Saitabau, said the bank listed on the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange (DSE), began operations with capital of S billion and has since grown to a capital base of Sh26.6 billion and assets valued at Sh202.5 billion by 2025. Mr Saitabau said the lender’s 20252030 strategic plan targets to reach assets worth Sh500 billion while ensuring sustainable growth for customers, shareholders and employees. The Bishop of the North Central Diocese, Dr Godson Mollel, said the opening of the Arusha branch reflects the bank’s expanding footprint across the country and acknowledged the region’s historical significance as the birthplace of the church’s early Synod.

“Arusha Region has received this branch with great honour. I call upon all heads of parishes and institutions under the ELCT to open accounts with this bank, which operates with integrity and is growing rapidly,” he said.

Maendeleo Bank Vice Chairperson Anna Mzinga said the new branch demonstrates the implementation of the bank’s 20252030 strategic plan, which aims to strengthen service delivery, broaden financial inclusion and bring banking services closer to customers. .

Dar es Salaam . A worsening financial crisis is threatening the operations of the East African Community (EAC), with internal documents revealing that the regional bloc is struggling to pay salaries and implement planned activities.

A leaked internal memo from the East African Legislative Assembly (Eala), dated February 24, 2026, shows that the Community is facing “dire liquidity challenges” that have made it difficult to pay February salaries and settle outstanding arrears. The memo, signed by the Assembly Clerk, Mr Alex Obatre, warns that the financial situation has deteriorated to the point where even routine activities are at risk.

“As you are aware, the Community is facing dire liquidity challenges to the extent that we are facing challenges in convening activities or paying the February 2026 salaries and the settlement of previous salary obligations,” the memo states. The crisis has left many Eala Members of Parliament struggling financially, as allowances and other payments have reportedly been delayed for months.

Tanzanian Eala MP, Dr Abdullah Makame, confirmed that the situation is worsening and affecting the functioning of the Assembly. “The financial difficulties are real.

Members are struggling and some activities cannot proceed as planned. Without stable funding, the Assembly cannot operate effectively or survive,” he said.

Growing arrears Financial tables prepared for the EAC Council of Ministers indicate that the Community’s budget deficit is widening due to unpaid contributions by partner states. As of January 28, 2026, total arrears to the EAC main budget stood at $54.78 million, while partner states were expected to contribute $56 million for the 2025/26 financial year.

However, only $21.4 million–equivalent to 38 percent–had been remitted. The outstanding balance reached $89.37 million, underlining the scale of the crisis.

Some partner states have not made any contributions during the current financial year, while others have only paid partially. Tanzania and Kenya are among the few countries that have settled their full annual contributions, while Uganda has paid about 81 percent of its obligation.

Rwanda has paid only a quarter of its expected contribution, despite remitting $875,000 in February. Burundi, South Sudan, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo have not made any payments this financial year, leaving the regional bloc heavily exposed.

The crisis has also affected specialised institutions. At the Inter-University Council for East Africa, partner states had paid only 39 per cent of expected contributions, leaving an outstanding balance of more than $18 million.

At the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization, only 68 per cent of expected contributions had been received. The worsening situation has prompted Kenyan President William Ruto, the current EAC chairperson, to convene an emergency summit scheduled for March.

The summit is expected to focus on restoring financial stability and addressing long-standing structural weaknesses in the bloc’s funding model. Analysts say the financial crisis reflects deeper structural challenges within the Community, particularly the overreliance on partner states’ contributions and the absence of sustainable, alternative revenue streams.

.

Dar es Salaam. Swimmers from across the globe will be eligible to compete in the upcoming Tanzania National Club Championships, following confirmation that the meet has been approved as a qualifying event for the World Aquatics Short Course Championships scheduled to take place in China this December.

The development was revealed yesterday by the secretary general of the Tanzania Swimming Association (TSA), Inviolata Itatiro, who said the approval by World Aquatics marks a major milestone for the growth of competitive swimming in the country. According to Itatiro, the global governing body has officially recognised the Tanzania National Club Championships as one of the sanctioned competitions where swimmers can post qualifying times for the World Aquatics Short Course Championships.

As a result, the meet is now open to both local and international swimmers seeking qualification for the prestigious global event. “This approval means that all swimmers in the world are entitled to take part in our national championships, provided they meet the required criteria,” said Itatiro.

“It is a significant vote of confidence in Tanzania’s ability to host competitions that meet World Aquatics standards.” However, she emphasised that foreign swimmers wishing to compete must strictly adhere to the regulations governing the Tanzania event.

These include obtaining a clearance letter from their respective national swimming federations, confirming that they are in good standing and authorised to compete abroad. In addition, swimmers must be properly registered for the 2025/2026 season and must have achieved the official meet qualifying time standards within the approved window, which runs from August 1, 2025, to March 2026. Proper travel documentation and timely submission of all required paperwork will also be mandatory.

“The swimmer or swimmers are required to meet our criteria and submit their clearance letters within the set deadlines,” Itatiro explained. “Compliance with these procedures is essential to ensure fairness and adherence to international regulations.

” She added that the World Aquatics decision is expected to significantly raise the profile of the championships and attract a strong field of competitors from outside Tanzania. According to Itatiro, the presence of international swimmers will not only increase competition levels but also provide valuable exposure and experience for local athletes.

.