THE second season of children’s sports clinic, aimed to nurture talents and encourage parents to save for their children, was held in Dar es Salaam over the weekend.

The initiative is part of the strategy to promote the sports sector in the country through talent development and providing inclusive financial services to all groups, including children.

To achieve the program, which took place at the Gymkhana grounds, various stakeholders were involved, including parents and their children, who joined standout players from Simba Sports Club, such as Shomari Kapombe, Mzamiru Yassin, Ladaki Chasambi, and goalkeeper Hussein Abel. 

Additionally, some players from the women’s national soccer team (Twiga Stars), Stumai Abdallah and Fatuma Issa, were also present.

During the program, the participants were presented with various prizes, including jerseys and balls. 

The children had also the opportunity to participate in various sports programs under the guidance of successful sports players in the country, learning different sports techniques.

Commenting on the program, which also included financial education for parents and the importance of saving for children, as well as prioritizing sports and children's talents in upbringing, Alina Kimaryo, the official from the clinic’s organizers, said that the target group for the program, expected to take place at least three times a year, is children aged six to thirteen, along with their parents or guardians.

"We believe that a better tomorrow is prepared today. Through the sports clinic program, we are preparing a better tomorrow for children through their talents, especially in sports, considering that sports can be a career. We are also preparing a better tomorrow for children by encouraging parents to cultivate a savings culture for their children," said Alina.

Yoabu Ndanzi, another official from the organizers, emphasized that the program aims to empower parents to recognize the significance of sports and the talents their children possess, so they can respect them and find ways to develop them.

"We are grateful to see that many parents who have joined us today already have sufficient understanding of savings, which is why they have already opened accounts for their children. We strive to educate them more about recognizing the importance of sports and their children's talents considering that sports can be a career. 

“To motivate parents and the children themselves, we have brought famous players from their favorite clubs participating in the Premier League. We started with Azam FC players, today we have brought Simba players, and in the future, we will bring players from Yanga, followed by players from other teams as well," he said.

The players who participated in the program praised the organizers for their efforts in developing soccer in the country. They were pleased to have the opportunity to work with the community, especially children, as it will greatly help to encourage them to love the game even more and make more efforts to achieve their dreams through sports.

"It has been a great joy for us today, and for this we congratulate the organizers for bringing us together with children whom we were able to play with. We have taught them a few sports techniques and, most importantly, we have encouraged them to continue loving sports while also focusing on their studies because education and sports can definitely go hand in hand.

"Furthermore, since this program involves parents, we firmly believe that it will help change their perspectives on respecting their children's talents," said Simba SC defender Shomari Kapombe.

Some of the participating parents, including Tima Mohamed and Khamis Kakolwa, expressed their great interest in the program, as it encompasses many important areas beneficial to children, including sports, financial education and savings, health, and child upbringing.