ROGATH John was elected as the new Athletics Tanzania (AT) president at an elective meeting, which was held in Mwanza last Saturday.

The AT election committee chairman, Leonard Thadeo, said John (pictured) won by 27 votes, beating his opponent, Nsolo Mulongo, who got 20 votes. Thadeo said the election attracted 49 delegates, who elected Jackson Ndaweka as the national athletics governing body's vice-president.

Ndaweka, the former AT secretary-general, won by 39 votes against 10 garnered by Baraka Sulus. Thadeo said Andrew Rhobi, Luiza John, Alfredo Shahanga, Ibrahim Kwitenga, and Michael Panga were elected as the association's executive committee members.

“I can say the election went on very well, no one complained, Joh won in the second round after the first round failed to produce a winner," Thadeo revealed.

"The committee, which was overseeing the election, is wishing them all the best in their new capacities,” he said. 

There was no immediate response from the winners and losers of the elections, but, in a previous interview, Ndaweka said that for the country to develop in athletics there is a need to introduce zonal junior tournaments.

The new AT vice president stated that he will champion the hosting of zonal junior athletic tournaments.

"For the country to develop in athletics there is a need to have vibrant youth athletics tournaments; we need age group tournaments in all zones. I will use my four-year experience at AT to champion this," he said.

He also said he will advise the AT executive committee on important issues that will bring positive changes to the association.

"We will strive for professionalism, good governance in compliance with the government, make sure that the AT constitution is respected at all levels, the aim is to reach the required standards, but this will be a collective responsibility," he said.

Ndaweka said in the four years he has been serving as AT's acting secretary-general, he has managed to woo many companies and organizations to sponsor races and pledged to continue the same

"During the four-year period I have been at AT, the country has witnessed an increased number of races; it is also during my period that AT signed a partnership with Xtep company," he revealed.

"Many of our athletes have also featured in international events. I will continue this and strengthen the cooperation with athletics stakeholders that include the government, cooperate world, Tanzania Olympic Committee (TOC), media houses, and others," he noted.