The Tanzania Handball Association (TAHA) has announced plans to relocate the national Under-17 and Under-19 teams to Tanga for a special training camp ahead of the African Zone Five Championship, scheduled to begin on May 6 this year in Uganda.
Although players are currently training with their respective clubs, the joint residential camp in Tanga will officially kick off on April 15, marking the final phase of preparation for the regional tournament.
Speaking to The Respondent Online, TAHA Vice Chairperson Anna Kassiga said the teams will also participate in the upcoming Union Games to sharpen their skills and gain match fitness through friendly fixtures before heading to Uganda.
“We're using this period to build strength and assess our players in a competitive environment. Participating in the Union Games will give us a great opportunity to test the squad and make necessary adjustments before the tournament,” Kassiga explained.
She noted that preparations are progressing well, with club coaches playing a key role in developing the players during this early phase. The national teams are expected to depart for Uganda on May 4.
“We are determined to perform even better this year,” Kassiga added. “Last year, our girls' team qualified for the African Championship and finished third out of eight countries. That was a huge milestone, and we believe we can go even further this time.”
The countries set to compete in the Zone Five Championship include Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti, South Sudan, and hosts Uganda.