BY THE ARUSHA NEWS REPORTER
Sports and cultural officers convened in Arusha last week aimed at strengthening coordination and advancing sports and cultural programmes in the country.
The meeting brought together government officials and sector stakeholders to deliberate on strategies for promoting cultural heritage and enhancing sports development nationwide, with participants emphasising the need for stronger collaboration between institutions to ensure effective delivery of initiatives at both national and grassroots levels.
One senior official attending the meeting said sports and culture should be recognised as critical drivers of development, noting that they play a central role in youth empowerment, social cohesion and economic growth.
Another officer stressed the importance of aligning implementation at the local level with national priorities, particularly in talent identification and cultural preservation.
Regional authorities highlighted Arusha’s growing importance as a hub for national dialogue and coordination, with a senior regional official observing that the city continues to provide a platform for engagement on key development sectors and that such meetings help translate policy into practical action at regional and district levels.
Opening the 16th working session of the sports and cultural officers, Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports Paul Makonda stated that Tanzania has many sports but most are not competitive at the international level and that greater effort is needed to empower other disciplines to rise.
He added that the national ambition is to see Tanzania attaining honours across a wider range of sports and not only football.
Stakeholders at the meeting noted that integrating sports and culture into the country’s broader development agenda remains essential, with one participant stating that the focus should be on connecting communities, promoting national identity and ensuring that both sectors contribute meaningfully to economic opportunities, particularly for young people.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to strengthening coordination, improving implementation frameworks and enhancing the overall impact of sports and cultural development across the country.
