President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete yesterday November 1, 2014 joined senior officials from English Premier League football club, Sunderland AFC (SAFC) and Symbion Power, a US energy provider, in a ceremony to mark a milestone in the start of the construction for a new community-based Sports Park in Dar es Salaam.
As part of Sunderland AFC's ground-breaking football partnership with Tanzania, the club is lending its expertise to the creation of a football development programme in the country, in partnership with Symbion, who provide the East African nation with much needed electricity.
Central to this innovative programme is the construction of a community-based sport park, named after the President, located at Kidongo Chekundu, in Ilala Dar es Salaam.
The Jakaya M. Kikwete Youth Park will provide a full-size 3G artificial surface, along with a five-a-side pitch, two sand-based pitches and a basketball court.
The Jakaya M. Kikwete Youth Park will provide a full-size 3G artificial surface, along with a five-a-side pitch, two sand-based pitches and a basketball court.
An administration building as well as changing rooms will also be provided, along with floodlighting, to ensure the community can make best use of the facilities at all times. Today's event saw President Kikwete and some youths who attended plant a symbolic palm tree on the site, which is set for completion in the early part of 2015.
His Excellency was joined by Sunderland AFC's chief executive Margaret Byrne, the club's commercial director Gary Hutchinson and Paul Hinks, the Chief Executive Officer of Symbion Power.
Speaking about the event, Margaret Byrne, CEO of Sunderland AFC said: "We are honoured to be here in Tanzania today with His Excellency President Kikwete and to see the progress being made with the project.
Speaking about the event, Margaret Byrne, CEO of Sunderland AFC said: "We are honoured to be here in Tanzania today with His Excellency President Kikwete and to see the progress being made with the project.
"The sports park is a central part of the unique partnership between our football club and Tanzania and we are excited to see this special community facility taking shape."
Paul Hinks CEO of Symbion Power added, "After a long wait for the necessary permits, I am delighted to see that Phase 1 of the Academy is finally under way.
Paul Hinks CEO of Symbion Power added, "After a long wait for the necessary permits, I am delighted to see that Phase 1 of the Academy is finally under way.
"By joining forces with Sunderland we are able to give the youth in Tanzania a pubic facility and professional coaching, the likes of which they have not had access to before.
" The football club is providing technical and practical support to the development of the football project, the first of its kind in the country, which will see thousands of youngsters benefit from a joined up approach combining football, education and community engagement, harnessing the knowledge and expertise of Sunderland AFC..." he said.
" The football club is providing technical and practical support to the development of the football project, the first of its kind in the country, which will see thousands of youngsters benefit from a joined up approach combining football, education and community engagement, harnessing the knowledge and expertise of Sunderland AFC..." he said.
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| President Kikwete is welcomed with a bouquet of flowers from Dev Gurpal and Mahadia Saidi as he arrives for the ceremony |
President Kikwete shakes hands with Paul Hinks of Symbion Power. Next is His Lorship the Mayor of Ilala, Jerry Silaa
President Kikwete greets His Worship The Mayor of Ilala Jerry Silaa
President Kikwete greets the Member of Parliament for Ilala Hon Mussa Azzan Zungu
Welcome Sir...
President Kikwete greets Sunderland AFC's chief executive Margaret Byrne
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| President Kikwete greets TFF President Jamal Malinzi |
Part of the proposed new community-based Sports Park at Kidongo Chekundu in Dar es Salaam.
Sunderland AFC's chief executive Margaret Byrne and an official of the club present to President Kikwete a coal miner's lantern
The President is happy with the present
Sunderland AFC's chief executive Margaret Byrne and an official of the club present to President Kikwete a Sunderland jersey
Sunderland AFC's chief executive Margaret Byrne with President Kikwete
Paul Hinks, the Chief Executive Officer of Symbion Power, speaks
Part of the project
Work has already started
President Kikwete addresses the gathering
Part of the audience
The audience
Banner
President Kikwete addresses the audience, thanks Sunderland and Symbion power for the historical initiative
President Kikwete asks TFF President to support the project
Part of the audience
The kids are happy for the project
President Kikwete speaks on
Youths are invited to assist President Kikwete plant a commemorative tree
A round of applause as President Kikwete and one of the youths water the planted tree seedling
More applause
And more applause
A souvenir photo with Symbion Power staff
A group photo with Ilala councillors
A word or two with Ilala Municipal leaders before taking his leave
President Kikwete shakes hands with Ilala MP Hon. Mussa Azzan Zungu
President Kikwete greets the Ilala Municipal Director
A handshsake with Ambassador Sanga
Teddy Mapunda says thank you Mr President for this as Councillor Abdul Masamaki awaits his turn
Mafia MP was also there
Asante Mzee....
Gerezani area residents happy with the President
A lucky Gerezani area resident gets a rare photo op with His Excellency
Gerezani area women thank the President
Thank you Sir for gracing the occasion...
Asante sana Mheshimiwa kwa mradi huu....
President Kikwete shakes hands with sports enthusiast Haruna Mbeyu
Tahnk you Your Excellency...
Handshake from Councillor Matimbwa
A happy President Kikwete leaves the grounds
