THE Tanzania Premier League Board (TPLB) has announced the cancellation of all home night matches for Dodoma Jiji FC at Jamhuri Stadium on Sundays and Fridays due to conflicts with flight schedules at Dodoma Airport.

Matches played under floodlights at Jamhuri Stadium have frequently been disrupted by the need to turn off the lights to accommodate planes taking off or landing at the nearby airport.

TPLB Chief Executive Officer Almas Kasongo confirmed the decision, stating that all Friday and Sunday night fixtures at the venue will now be moved to daytime or early evening kick-offs for safety reasons.

"We have accepted this request because it is a matter of security and safety. After receiving the letter, we addressed the issue and, following meetings with government and airport authorities, decided to cancel night matches on these days," Kasongo explained.

"On Fridays and Sundays, stadium lights interfere with pilots' visibility when landing. Turning off the lights during ongoing matches would be unfair to players, broadcasters, and fans. Therefore, we have prioritized safety by shifting these fixtures."

Kasongo emphasized that FIFA regulations prioritize security concerns, and the board had no choice but to implement the changes.

"In FIFA regulations, safety and security must always come first. Players warming up only to have matches stopped due to incoming flights would not be fair to them," he added.

Apart from the players, he noted that the disruptions also affect broadcasters, fans, and league organizers.

Kasongo also addressed the recent power outage at Kaitaba Stadium during Kagera Sugar's 2-1 loss to Tabora United, which was caused by generator failure.

"The issue of dim lighting has been forwarded to engineers, and while it is being resolved, all matches at Kaitaba Stadium will be played during the day," he said.

As a result of the power failure, Kagera Sugar’s subsequent match against Fountain Gate was rescheduled from 1:00 PM to 10:00 AM. The home side won 3-0, with goals from Peter Lwasa (two) and Saleh Seif Kambenga.