THE Tanzania Olympic Committee (TOC) has called on the country’s National Sports Associations (NSAs) to address challenges that have hindered national sports development for many years.

Speaking on Monday during the opening of a 14-day National Technical Coaches Course at the Olympafrica Center in Kibaha, Coast Region, TOC President Gulam Rashid (pictured) said the stagnation of sports in Tanzania is largely due to the absence of structured youth programs.

He expressed concern that Tanzania is often represented by only a handful of young athletes in international competitions. As an example, he cited the recent African Youth Games in Algeria, where Tanzania was represented by just three athletes - two in athletics and one in table tennis.

“Time has come for National Sports Associations to address the challenges facing the sector. One of the major gaps is the lack of clear youth programs. Many associations focus only on established athletes, forgetting that the future lies with the youth. To me, only the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) has well-organized youth programs,” said Rashid.

In his remarks, Tanzania Taekwondo Federation (TTF) President Ramoudh Ally urged participants to fully utilize the knowledge they will acquire from the course for the benefit of both the country and themselves.

“First, I thank TOC for sponsoring this course. The knowledge gained here will strengthen the taekwondo sector in Tanzania and enhance your individual capacity. Go out there and apply what you learn. As the national taekwondo federation, we are behind you,” said Ally.

He further explained that the certificates awarded upon completion will serve as a requirement for upgrading participants’ dans - the international ranking system that indicates a Taekwondo practitioner’s skill level.

“The Tanzania Taekwondo Federation is the only body recognized by World Taekwondo to offer dans in the country. All of you attending this course will now be on the World Taekwondo database, and your certificates will support your dan upgrades,” he added.

Ally also pledged to personally cover the dan upgrading fees for female participants, stressing that his goal is to encourage more women to join and progress in the sport.

The course’s Chief Instructor, Dr. Jun Cheol Yoon from South Korea - currently based in the United States - commended the initiative, emphasizing its importance for the sport’s growth in Tanzania.

“I am very honored to be here in Tanzania. This is a tough course that requires dedication and persistence. You will learn modern techniques that will help you grow both as coaches and as athletes,” he said.

This is the second Taekwondo training course in Tanzania sponsored by TOC through Olympic Solidarity. The first was held in 2014 in Arusha. The current program has attracted participants from both Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.