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Prime Minister has said it all on Physical Education and sports development
2008-05-10 10:19:35
By Syllersaid Mziray
It is very disgracing that most of the very significant philosophies, observations and statements of prominent national leaders end up becoming mere political slogans.
This approach of affairs has led to a stagnation of development in some of the very important sectors and aspects of lives of Tanzanians.
So much has been planned in the past on education; and specifically physical education and sport but very minimal have been achieved hitherto.
Listening to the Prime Minister, Hon. Mizengo Peter Pinda`s speech which he made at the National Stadium when officially launching this year`s Taifa Cup competition, one would have a feeling that the country is now on the right track on developing a society that is all out to recapture its lost glory in sport.
Pinda`s concern in linking sport with education and culture is very essential for Tanzania and can be a success only if the organs charged with this task are going to be serious in implementation.
In his brief but precise speech, Pinda emphasized that performing art must remain a means of educating all people regardless of one`s social status and that sport should be practiced within the rules of ethics and fair play so that both moral and physical strength are developed.
He further reiterated that physical education as a component of the nation`s culture should be used not only as a key tool for promoting sports, but also for teaching values and skills particularly to young people.
Another very important item which the PM spoke about is the existence of the Malya College for Sports Development.
The expansion of the college as well as its proper utilization will make a great difference when it comes to the country`s competitive physical activities.
If all regional authorities would respond positively to his call of taking their physical educators and sports teachers to Malya, then the country will soon do away with the acute shortage of sports experts which is being experienced at the moment.
The reinstating of physical education in the school curricula has been more said than done.
Everybody talks about the essence of physical education and sport in the schools but no substantial steps have been taken to make the programme take off.
When you visit most of the urban primary schools the majority of pupils as well as their teachers are facing the problem of obesity and overweight.
The very same problem of obesity prevails among secondary schools and higher learning students since they lack the culture of participating in physical activity which would have been inculcated when in primary schools.
Physical education should be taken as a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will and mind.
By blending sport with culture and education, physical education strives to create a way of life based on the joy found in effort, the educational value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles.
This is what our sportsmen and women lack when it comes to competitive sport.
No wonder the PM had to think aloud that `something went wrong somewhere` because the past saw best performers from Tanzania.
If I was to answer some of the PM`s questions I would have told him that Tanzania has a lot of Nyambuis and Bayis being born every day and throughout the country, but the problem is that they are not be made to be Nyambuis and Bayis.
Good performers are not born good performers; likewise winners are not born winners but are made to be winners.
Tanzanians are no longer a talk of the day when it comes to competitive sport - be it in team ball games or track and field athletics - because it had stopped moulding and making her athletes decades ago.
I wish more sports associations` leaders and curriculum developers were there at the national stadium to get it raw from the horse`s mouth.
Pinda said it all but the main problem is that most of those charged with the task of implementation have `a tin ear for dialogue`; they are good at hearing but they are not good listeners.
Need I think more loudly?
syllersaid.mziray@out.ac.tz
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