FROM THE ARUSHA NEWS REPORTER IN DAR ES SALAAM
Arusha-based world marathon champion Alphonce Felix Simbu has been named Tanzania’s Best Male Sports Personality of the Year 2025 at the National Sports Council (NSC) Awards held last week in Dar es Salaam.
Simbu, one of Tanzania’s most decorated long-distance runners, received the top male honour during the awards ceremony where leading sports personalities, teams, coaches, officials and journalists were recognised for their contribution to national sports.
The 34-year-old marathoner beat stiff competition from Young Africans striker Clement Mzize and professional boxer Salmin Khamis to win the award.
The recognition came after a remarkable period in Simbu’s career, during which he continued to lift Tanzania’s name on the international stage.
In 2025, he became the first Tanzanian athlete to win a global title after claiming gold in the men’s marathon at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
Speaking after receiving the award, Simbu thanked God and said the honour had given him more motivation to continue working hard for Tanzania.
“I thank God for this honour,” Simbu said, adding that the recognition was a motivation to keep representing the country with pride.
Simbu’s rise in athletics has been built over many years of discipline and consistency. Born on February 14, 1992, he first came to wider attention through long-distance running before becoming one of Tanzania’s strongest marathoners.
He won bronze at the 2017 World Championships, silver at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and later crowned his career with the historic world marathon title in Tokyo.
In the women’s category, Stumai Abdallah, a footballer with JKT Queens, was named Best Female Sports Personality of the Year 2025. She was recognised for her outstanding performance in football, beating other nominees including athlete Magdalena Shauri and basketball player Merciana Kizenge.
The guest of honour at the ceremony was Prime Minister Dr Mwigulu Lameck Nchemba, who commended efforts to strengthen sports in the country and urged continued cooperation between the government and the private sector in supporting athletes and sports institutions.
Dr Nchemba also called on the private sector to support Tanzania’s preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, saying the government would look into ways of recognising and supporting companies that invest in the country’s hosting efforts.
He said private-sector participation would be important in areas such as sponsorship, infrastructure and other services needed to ensure Tanzania successfully co-hosts the tournament with Kenya and Uganda.
