WITH the Paris Olympics now nigh, excitement is mounting in every nook and cranny of the globe over the perennially compelling, grand multi-sports event.

Indeed, come this Friday, the eyes of the sporting realm will be firmly fixed on the gorgeous city of Paris, also famously known as the ‘City of Light’, where the globe’s sporting greats will expectedly be going all out to secure coveted medals in multiple sporting events.

Here on the African continent, numberless sports aficionados will be keeping their fingers crossed that many countries will prove equal to the herculean task of claiming a gigantic number of medals.

Chiefly, African sports devotees will be pinning their hopes on the likes of South Africa, who have wonderfully demonstrated in the past that where swimming is concerned they are eminently capable of giving any heavyweights a serious run for their money.

Moreover, countless African sports enthusiasts will be expecting big things from Kenya, who have ruled the roost in the middle to long distance running events in the past.

In addition, it is hoped that Ghana, who have long-excelled in the combative sport of boxing, will deliver the goods yet again in this bruising, contact sport.

From a Tanzanian viewpoint, hope springs eternal that our sportsmen and sportswomen, who will be our flag-bearers at the Paris Olympic Games, will be able to produce some sublime medal-winning displays that will linger long in the memory.

Indeed, despite the fact that our preparations for the Summer Games this year were far from ideal, it is still admittedly expected that our athletes will give their all in a bid to claim a sizable number of medals.

Let us now seamlessly switch our focus to local women’s football where a bright gem, Aisha Masaka, has now moved to the English Women’s Super League (WSL) side Brighton and Hove Albion from her ex-Swedish club BK Hacken.

Unarguably, the high-profile move is doubtlessly a stellar coup for the lethal and prolific 20-year-old Tanzanian attacker, who will be starring next season in one of the world’s most respected women’s football leagues.

Lest we forget, it should be noted that extremely few female Tanzanian exponents of football are plying their trade abroad.

Thus, it is hoped that Masaka’s consequential move to the WSL will inspire endless numbers of Tanzanian girls to pursue a career in the beautiful game, that is, if they are so inclined.

Still on local women’s football, Simba Queens and Warrior Queens will represent Tanzania in the CECAFA Zonal Qualifiers for the CAF Women’s Champions League, which are due to kick off next month in Ethiopia.

Indeed, right from the get-go of the qualifiers, it is expected that Simba Queens will be seeking to send out a real statement of intent that they are determined to come out on top.

Interestingly, it is likely that Simba Queens will feel that they have some unfinished business in the CAF Women’s Champions League following their fabulous run to the semifinals of the elite championship two years ago where they unfortunately suffered a slim 1-0 defeat to South African behemoths Mamelodi Sundowns.

In light of that, one feels that Simba Queens are absolutely raring to go once the CECAFA Zonal Qualifiers for the CAF Women’s Champions League get underway next month.