THE construction of a complex to
host indoor games is about to start soon at the National Stadium in Dar
es Salaam, as efforts by the government’s to complete a project
initiated by former Presidents.
The construction of the complex was
revealed by Prime Minister, Kassim Majaliwa on Wednesday, during his
meeting with the leaders from registered sports associations, officials
from the National Sports Council (NSC), and sports stakeholders at the
National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
The PM said the government through the
ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports planned to start
construction of the complex which will accommodate offices of the
ministry, sports associations, hostels, an Olympic size swimming pool
and other essential services.
“ I have already seen the architectural
design of the project, and I have also presented another one designed by
the South African company Billions Group,” he unveiled.
The Prime Minister said the completion
of the project will be an everlasting solution to the lack of proper
venues for indoor sports such as swimming, handball, basketball, table
tennis and other associated sports.
He furthermore directed the Minister for
Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Nape Nnauye to contact the
Director of South African firm the Billions Group to see if he is ready
to undertake the construction tender.
He ordered the sports Minister to make
immediate contact with the South African firm and establish a detailed
discussion on viable architectural design between the new and the
earlier ones.
Furthermore, he promised to have
discussion with the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) to waive import tax
imposed on sports equipment in order to facilitate the project.
He said tax burden has resulted into
sports equipment being apprehended at the port. “The government was
forced to impose taxes on sports equipment after it was discovered that
some people took the advantage to evade tax in items that benefit them
personally,” he said.
He promised to discuss the tax issue and
to find means of freeing the apprehended goods to ensure they get to
responsible sports associations. The meeting with the PM was attended by
the 36 leaders of the associations who were given opportunity to
explain challenges facing them to see how they can be sorted out.
The association leaders called frequent
meeting of such a kind and promised to abide with the fifth phase
government philosophy of ‘ Hapa Kazi Tu’.
Prime Minister Majaliwa has been the
first Prime Minister in the country to meet with leaders of sports
associations and federations, stakeholders and sponsors in the country
to discuss on various issues concerning the country’s sports
development.
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