Tanzania: Kilimanjaro Queens Receive a Hero's Welcome

Photo: Daily News

Kilimanjaro Queens players celebrate with their fans shortly after landing at the Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam yesterday from Uganda where they won East and Central Africa Challenge Cup.

Victorious Kilimanjaro Queens squad received a hero's welcome in Dar es Salaam yesterday with hundreds of fans cheering the team as they landed at Julius Nyerere International Airport.

After landing at the Airport, Kilimanjaro Queens delegation proceeded to Courtyard Hotel in the city centre, where the players and team officials were joined by the Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports Nape Nnauye and officials from Tanzania Football Federation for a dinner party.

En-route to Dar es Salaam from Jinja, the national women's team made a stop in Bukoba to pay homage to victims of earthquakes that ravaged Lake Zone regions a few hours after the team departed to Uganda for the regional showpiece.

The team left for Jinja on September 9 just a few hours before the earthquake hit the region. The Queens delegation arrived in Mwanza yesterday morning, where they were received by Regional Commissioner John Mongella and other government football officials.

Mongella commended the Queens for clinching the title of the inaugural regional women football championship after defeating the Kenyan national women team Harambee Starlets 2-1 in the final played at Njeru in Jinja, Uganda.

In the reception of the team held here at the regional commissioner's office, Mongella awarded the team 1m/- for winning the tough tournament. Mongella also lauded Tanzania Women Football Association (TWFA) for their efforts in that steered the team's victory.

Mongella urged players and coach to work hard and win other tournaments as well as retaining the trophy they have just won.

The association's Chairperson, Amina Karuma thanked all Tanzanians for the support, but asked companies and individuals to come forward and inject sponsorship in the women leagues so as to make it more competitive.

Ms Karuma also hailed Airtel and Azam companies for their efforts in supporting the team when while competing in Uganda. Karuma said that part of victory was fruits from the Airtel Rising Star tournament from where some of the players were picked.

In retrospect, Kilimanjaro Queens' Head Coach, Sebastian Mkomwa said the tournament was very difficult because there were two teams; Kenya and Ethiopia who have played in tournaments at the continental level.

"The competition was very stiff and highly challenging as had poor preparations, we started training a week before the competition, a situation that cost us dearly. The long journey from Dar-es-salaam to Jinja by a bus was also a big challenge.

Fatigue was a big challenge when we played Rwanda, a day after arrival," Mkomwa said. He also asked the players to return to the camp early to start preparations for other tournaments.

The team's captain Sophia Mwasikili urged the government to invest more in women's football a move she said will help women's football to have speedy progress. Mwasikili called for a timely provision of their allowances and salaries, saying that will motivate them to perform better.

The Kilmanjaro queens top scorer, Mwanahamisi Omary who has scored three goals, said her target to score in every match has been accomplished and so is the team's target to win the trophy.

Kilimanjaro Queens' other goals were netted by Asha Rashid, who also scored three goals, Donasia Donald netted two goals and Stumai Rajab also scored two goals.

The players who brought the silverware included Fatuma Omary, Sophia Mwakisili, Anastazia Anthony, Fatuma Issa, Fadhila Hamad, Donisia Donald, Happy Hezron and Asha Rashid.

Others are Wema Richard, Mwanahamisi Omari, Maimuna Hamis, Fatuma Hassan, Amina Ally, Sherida Boniface, Anna Hebron, Najat Abass and Fatuma Bashir.