The Arusha Region Football Association for Persons with Disabilities (ARAFA) has successfully obtained an official registration certificate from the National Sports Council (BMT), marking a significant milestone for the organization.
With this registration, ARAFA is now authorized to officially conduct its operations in accordance with the laws and regulations governing the development of sports for people with disabilities.
In an interview with The Respondent Online following the registration, ARAFA Chairman Daud Mathias Mnongya outlined their vision to promote football for persons with disabilities at the grassroots level.
He emphasized the importance of introducing the sport in schools and expanding it across all districts in the Arusha region, which includes Arusha City, Meru, Arusha District Council, Longido, and Monduli.
“Our goal is to establish a football league that will foster the growth of football for people with disabilities throughout the Arusha region,” he stated.
Mnongya expressed gratitude for the support of stakeholders who helped make their long-term vision a reality.
“We are thankful to God and all the partners who have contributed to this achievement. Now, we are focused on introducing our association to the community and raising awareness of our work,” he added.
Furthermore, he revealed that ARAFA is in discussions with teams from Kenya and Uganda to organize friendly matches with teams from the Arusha region.
The initiative aims to further enhance the profile of football for persons with disabilities and ignite greater enthusiasm for the sport in the region.