How ‘Elimu Yetu’ Bonanza picks young sports talents from streets placing them onto professional platforms

Most children in Tanzania, just like many other parts of Africa usually play or practice various forms of sports in the streets.

And many talents used to start and end there until now.

Children and youth in Arusha have finally found an official platform which now recognizes their efforts and assists them to realize their dreams to regional, national and international levels.

So far, the event organizers have conducted three seasons of the ‘Elimu Yetu Bonanza,’ with the third instalment which has just been held in Arusha, attracting over 400 children.

Amos Kasaramba is the Director of Elimu Yetu Development Organization, which organizes the annual youth recruitment sports bonanza said for the first time also the traditional board game, known as Bao, which is largely played by elderly persons has been included.

“We want to introduce more games and challenging activities to young people, especially children, who now can master chess games that entail a high intelligent quotient,” said Kasalamba.

Kasalamba said they have taken aboard more than 7 soccer teams including street players because the main agenda is to identify, recruit and enlist top performing individuals some of whom have already joined special academies.

“Others have been assisted to establish their own soccer teams,” he added.

Over twelve games and sporting activities were staged in the Bonanza and these include Traditional board games (Bao), Netball, Soccer, Chess, Tug-of-War, Draft, Sprinting, Chicken Pursuing, Card games and Dancing competition.

The Bonanza was split into two venues, some taking place at Tindigani grounds of Kijenge Juu as well as Kimandolu Primary School fields.

On her part Shila Laizer the Culture, Arts and Sports Manager at ‘Elimu Yetu Development,’ said the inclusion of Bao, is meant to create a bridge between the elderly persons and the youth so that young people could inherit old skills, wisdom and games from their grandparents.

But apart from sport promotion, Laizer says the Elimu Yetu organization has also been providing free education programs and foreign language courses to local youth.

The Kijenge Primary School Sports Master, Mwalimu Mwinyi Rajab Sudi said for many years, sports activities have been treated as forms of entertainment, but of late this sector is creating jobs and wealth.

“That is why we are now encouraging sports in our schools,” said Mwalimu Sudi.