DAR TO PRESS FOR ZANZIBAR'S FIFA MEMBERSHIP STATUS

Nasongelya Kilyinga

Efforts to ensure Zanzibar attain the world soccer governing body FIFA full membership will continue, despite recent refusal by the world football governing body to accept the Isles as its member, the National Assembly was told here on Thursday.

Deputy Minister for Information, Youth, Culture and Sports Fenella Mukangara said that Zanzibar Football Association (ZFA) in close support from the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) and both governments would continue to fight for the move.

She said the Union Government has blessed Zanzibar to seek its own FIFA membership. She also said that last year a delegation from the Zanzibar government, ZFA and TFF visited FIFA headquarters in Switzerland and the delegation asked the soccer body to include Zanzibar in the list of its members.

However, she said in June this year FIFA responded to the request saying it will not be granted because FIFA insisted that Zanzibar is "not an independent state recognised by the international community at present, nor is it likely to be in the foreseeable future.

"We have not lost hope because we will continue to press for the Zanzibar membership. We will not stop from fighting for her membership despite seeing most of the past struggles ending fruitlessly," she said when responding to a question from Abdallah Sharia Ameir (Dimani-CCM), who asked if there was any possibility for Zanzibar to attain FIFA membership as it is the case for CECAFA and CAF.

In his supplementary question, Ameir queried why Zanzibar is denied FIFA membership while such nations as China and Hong Kong with the similar union like that of Tanzania mainland and Zanzibar each have full FIFA membership.

Dr Mukangara said she could not respond on behalf of FIFA, insisting that her ministry will step up efforts to support Zanzibar's membership issue, even when it means convincing FIFA to amend its constitution.

"We will prefer to see Zanzibar be like that of the states forming the United Kingdom, which involve England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland are treated as independent members of FIFA," she said.

In 2005 FIFA, rejected an application by Zanzibar football authorities to be granted full membership. Meanwhile, the Deputy Minister implored local artists to dress decently and respect the norms, culture and tradition of the country.