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Bass Coast Welcomes Tanzania As Its Adopted Games Team

The Bass Coast Shire has adopted Tanzania as its second team for the Games, as part of the Victorian Government’s Commonwealth Games ‘Adopt a Second Team’ initiative.

By Bass Coast Shire Council - 23rd September 2005 - Back to News

There are 26 Tanzanian athletes competing in the Games in Athletics, Boxing and the Elite Athletes with a Disability (EAD) sports program.

The Bass Coast community is likely to have an opportunity to meet the athletes and form an ongoing relationship with the country.

Council’s Arts and Leisure Coordinator, Jenny Churchill, encouraged the community to support Tanzania as its ‘second team’ throughout the Games.

"At this stage there are a few ideas being considered to ensure our relationship with Tanzania is beneficial for both communities.

"These include hosting the 26 Tanzanian athletes to train in the Shire in the lead up to the Games in March, a visit from the Tanzanian Choir, fundraising for training equipment for Tanzanian athletes, an education program for Bass Coast schools, sponsorship of young Tanzanian athletes, schools creating banners to welcome athletes and other groups to the Bass Coast Shire, and much more.

"Council has also met with the Hon. Consul of Tanzania, Mr Nana Laxman, and coaches of the Games team to discuss ways in which Bass Coast can assist the team and provide opportunities for an ongoing relationship with Tanzania," advised Ms Churchill.

Member for Western Port Province, the Hon. Geoff Hilton, today officially presented Council with the flag of Tanzania.

"It is terrific to see the Bass Coast Shire are so enthusiastically embracing the Commonwealth Games and particularly the adoption of Tanzania.

"I’m sure all Tanzanian athletes and officials will be made very welcome," he said.

Get involved

"Support Tanzania as your second team during the Games, consider fundraising opportunities, participate in cross-cultural functions planned for the people of Bass Coast and make the people of Tanzania "Karibu" (Welcome)," said Ms Churchill.

To find out more about planned activities involving Tanzania and how you can get involved visit Council’s website www.basscoast.vic.gov.au or phone Council’s Arts and Leisure Coordinator, Jenny Churchill, on (03) 5671 2211 or (03) 5951 3311.

Facts about Tanzania

• Tanzania is the largest country in Eastern Africa, just south of the equator, bordering Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda and Zambia.
• Around 50 per cent of the 33 million population are living below the poverty line.
• The main language spoken is Swahili and it is the home of the Masai.
• Tanzania is the land of the Safari– which is after all Swahili for "a journey". National Parks abound, including Kilimanjaro and the Serengeti.
• Its primary natural resources include as coal, natural gas, gold and diamonds.

To find out more about Tanzania visit the Consulate of Tanzania website at www.tanzaniaconsul.com.

Photographs (see attached):

Commonwealth Games – Tanzania photo: Tanzanian school children send their greetings to the Bass Coast Shire.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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