Manyara kicks off soccer tourney against wildlife killings

Correspondent, Manyara
 
The war against poaching, in Manyara Region, has added another arsenal; it comes in the form of a soccer league.
 
A Football tournament known as ‘Chem Chem Cup 2021,’ has just been flagged off in Babati District of Manyara Region, aiming to raise awareness on conservation while also advocating the battle against illegal wildlife killings and unlawful logging in the precinct.
 
Unveiled by the Babati District Commissioner, Lazaro Twangwe, the three-week long, ‘Chem Chem Cup 2021,’ tourney involves more than ten football clubs from the villages that surround and make up the Burunge Wildlife Management Area (WMA).
 
“It is a good idea to use sports in identifying and recruiting budding talents, but the idea gets even better when events like this also become important tools in combating illegal activities against natural resources, such as poaching,” stated DC Twangwe.
 
The Football tourney is being organized and sponsored by the Chem Chem Foundation of Babati.
 
“The idea is to involve and sensitize young people to actively partake in environment conservation and protect wildlife,” explained the Project Manager for the Chem Chem Foundation, Peter Millanga.
 
“These tourneys also help talented players to be spotted by larger soccer teams and already through these initiatives some young people got enrolled to play in bigger leagues,” Millanga maintained.
 
The league coordinator, Bura Bayo mentioned the participating teams as, Olasiti Football Club, Sengaiwe SC, Minjingu FC, Young-Boys, Mdori FC, Mshike-Mshike FC, Macedonia FC, Star Boys and Gembwe FC.
 
The Final Match for the Chem Chem League of Babati, is expected to be played on the 29th of December 2021, when prizes worth 2 million/- will be issued to the winning teams and outstanding players.