Article

Sport is far more than a luxury. Access to and participation in sport is a human right and essential for individual of all ages to lead healthy and fulfilling lives. Sport has an important role in all society. Sport is critical to a child's development. It teaches core values such as cooperation and respect. It improves health and reduces the like hood of diseases. It is a significant economic force providing employment and contributing local development. It brings individuals and communities together. It bridges cultural and ethnic divide. While all the above ingredients are important, the potential of sport as tool for development in Africa and Tanzania in Particular is yet to be fully realised. The use of sport remains outside the mainstream of Tanzanian politicians. While sport is acknowledged as part of human right elsewhere around the global, sport has always not been a priority in Tanzania a situation making us to feel that sport in Tanzanian community is  the “forgotten right” particularly to youth. 

 In this column, while viewing sport in wide sense, I will be demonstrating the contribution sport can make to Tanzanian community. I will provide analysis and challenge which need to be overcome by the government and the private sector and suggest ways to move forward in sport matters in Tanzania.

 This month, I will focus my analysis on how aspects of sport can be made the most of in relation to the forthcoming general election due to take place later this year. While I am sceptical on the president and his team due to assume office in October 2005 will marry sport initiative and make it a priority, I would like to see the team to understand that the core values inherent in sport are compatible with the principles necessary for development and would be vital for economic growth.  I would like the team to understand that the life skills learned through sport would help to empower individuals and enhance psychological well being such as increased resiliency, self esteemed and connection among Tanzanian community.  The team need to understand that these features are beneficial to all people of all ages, but they are essentially vital to the healthy development of young people.

 Sport is a reflection of society. Like many aspect of society simultaneously encompasses some of the worst human traits. These include violence, corruption, discrimination, hooliganism, excessive nationalism, and cheating and drug abuse. While I am aware of these negative aspects of sport, I would like to ensure you that no means outweigh potential positive benefits of sport.  

 Today I will end by introducing to you what I will discuss and analyse in the next month in our series on Lack of Open Space for Sport opportunity in Tanzania

  Next month of March 2005, my article will be on Sport as a school for life.  I will analyse and discuss skills and values learned through sport. I will relate my analysis with the ongoing absence/lack of setting aside open space for sport and the development of sports infrastructure in matters in urban planning in Tanzania.