By Mark Baber
February 27 – In the wake of the Tanzanian government’s declaration that the 2012 Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) constitution was adopted in contravention of Tanzanian law, the TFF President, Leodegar Tenga (pictured), has called for an emergency Executive Committee meeting on Saturday in Dar es Salaam to discuss the way forward.
The Tanzanian government intervention came after FIFA suspended the Federation’s general election that had been scheduled for February 24, due to controversies surrounding the process.
According to the minister for Information, Youth, Culture and Sports, Dr Fennela Mukangara, the new 2012 TFF constitution was adopted in contravention of the 1971 National Sports Council (NSC) Act. The minister said the TFF’s constitution violated Section 11 (1) on the steps to be followed by the body in order to amend its constitution, so all amendments made to the TFF constitution since 2010 have been adopted improperly.
Dr Mukangara ordered TFF and the registrar of sports and clubs to inform FIFA about the decision taken by the government and explain the circumstances clearly.
She also ordered the TFF to organise a general meeting as per the 2006 constitution and NSC laws and regulations before adopting a new constitution as well as holding new general elections under the 2006 constitution.
TFF secretary general Angetile Osiah, who had previously warned the government against interfering in football matters, said: “TFF will sit and discuss through its relevant organs over the decision taken by the government. Once this has been done decisions would be communicated to relevant parties.”
Tanzania has failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations since Tenga, one of Tanzania’s greatest ever players, was captain of the side and FIFA has praised the outgoing President for bringing a measure of stability to the country’s football politics.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1734797917labto1734797917ofdlr1734797917owedi1734797917sni@r1734797917ebab.1734797917kram1734797917