The Tanzania Optimist Dinghy Association (TODA) and NMB are today sending 5 young sailors to participate in an annual event to represent Tanzania for the 14th African Optimist Championships in Angolan capital – Luanda.

NMB has sponsored the young sailors to the tune of TZS 10 Million plus jersey and tracksuits.

Presenting the dummy cheque of TZS 10 Million, The NMB Managing Director – Ineke Bussemaker said “NMB is happy to support the young sailors to represent the country in international competitions; sports development is crucial especially when young talents are involved.”

“We are sure that we have sponsored the right talents and in the near future,” Says  Ms Ineke

NMB has been supporting sports for many years – football, hockey, athletics and now sailing, and this new partnership with Yatch Club is expected to develop young talents in sailing, the kind of sports which is still new in Tanzania but it has prospects of raining the country’s flag high through sailing.

The young sailors have been training at the Msasani Bay from the Dar es Salaam Yacht Club. Most of them have already participated in the previous two African Championships under the patronage of Tanzania Sailing Association. 

Optimist sailing is specifically for younger sailors between the ages of 7-15 years and the competition is organized in conjunction with the International Optimist Dinghy Association (IODA). 

IODA have encouraged the development of the African Championships to improve African sailing, and whilst the World Championships remain the focal point of the year, Continental Championships, including the African Championships form a very important part of the racing calendar. 

Every year, Tanzania has been attending the Sailing Africans Champions in different countries in Africa since 2005. 

Each member country in Africa may send up to 10 sailors, qualified in national trials. IODA also encourage at least 3 out of the 10 member teams to be female sailors in order to encourage growth within the girls’ fleet.