NCAA launches Rhino Cup

NGORONGORO: THE Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA) has launched a major football tournament, dubbed the Rhino Cup aimed at promoting sports participation among communities in the Ngorongoro Division.

The tournament, which brings together teams from 11 wards and 25 villages in the division, was officially launched on Tuesday at the Makao Ngorongoro Primary School grounds by former Taifa Stars and Young Africans coach Charles Boniface Mkwasa.

Speaking during the launch, Mkwasa urged young people in Ngorongoro to use sports as an opportunity for employment and to promote healthy lifestyles.

He also encouraged the youth to use football as a platform for promoting community participation in conservation efforts and raising awareness about the importance of protecting wildlife and natural resources.

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NCAA Deputy Conservation Commissioner Aidan Makalla said the authority had introduced the annual tournament to promote football within the Ngorongoro Division while strengthening conservation awareness among local communities.

He said, “The competition would also be used to educate communities about the importance of protecting rhinos and other natural resources found within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area,”

“The tournament will be held every year to encourage football among young people in the Ngorongoro Division and strengthen community awareness about rhino protection and conservation of the natural resources found in the area,” Makalla said.

He announced that, “The tournament will involve teams representing all 11 wards in the Ngorongoro Division, with the winning team set to receive prizes,”

Makalla noted that, “As part of the rewards, the tournament champions will also get an opportunity to attend a Mainland Premier League match between Simba and Young Africans during the current season,”

“The initiative is expected to combine sport, youth engagement and conservation awareness while strengthening the relationship between the NCAA and communities living around the conservation area,” he emphasised.