Tanzania: Government to Honour Mckinnis’ Contract

Tanzania Daily News (Dar es Salaam)

Nelly Mtema

18 March 2011

THE government has allayed fears over the uncertainty surrounding the future of the national netball team, Taifa Queens, coach Simone Mckinnis after insisting that it will implement the terms of her contract.

The Minister for Information, Youth, Culture and Sports, Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi issued the statement, following a report that the Australian coach was skeptical of returning to Tanzania to continue with her duties, lamenting that the government has failed to adhere to terms agreement as stipulated in her contract.

The Tanzania Netball Association (CHANETA) Chairperson, Anna Bayi had told the minister who is on familiarization tour of the sports associations that Mckinnis, who arrived in the country last year, was complaining over salary delay, lack of accommodation and transport.

And in his response, the recently appointed sport minister promised that the government will honour its commitments:

“We will work on the shortcomings to ensure that the coach work in a good environment for the best interest of both parties.”

Nchimbi immediately started to walk the talk as he presented to Chaneta leadership a key for the vehicle to be used by the coach upon her return to the country and promised to work on other areas.

Simone Mckinnis arrived in the country last August to take over as Taifa Queens head coach, following a promise made by President Jakaya Kikwete that he would hire professional coach to train the national netball team. She was offered a two-year deal.

Apart from salary, the government had pledged to provide her with accommodation, car and flight tickets throughout her stay.

Nchimbi also challenged Chaneta to strive at ensuring that harmony prevails within the association, with the ultimate goal of creating conducive environment for sustainable sport development.

He was delighted with reports that Chaneta and their Zanzibar counterparts, Chaneza have finally settled their differences for the national interests.

He also commended Chaneta for the job well done especially on the netball promotion, but urged them to work as a team and be tolerant towards each other in their endeavour to push forward the sport.

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