Burundians to officiate Simba, Kiyovu match

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TFF information officer Boniface Wambura

The Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) has picked Burundians to officiate a Confederation Cup preliminary round encounter pitting Tanzania’s Simba SC and Rwanda’s Kiyovu.

Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) Information Officer, Boniface Wambura on Thursday named the referees as Thierry Nkurinziza (central referee) to be assisted by Jean-Claude Birumushahu and Jean-Marie Hakizimana. CAF has appointed Uganda’s Abbas Sendyowa, match commissioner.

The match to be played on February 18 at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali, Rwanda and the return leg tie is planned for March 4 at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.  Meanwhile, Tanzanian Leslie Liunda will be the match commissioner when AS Vita Club of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) plays Athletico Olympique of Burundi in preliminary round of CAF Champions League.

The match to be played on either February 17, 18 and 19 in Kinshasa will be officiated by Gabonese Mbourou Roponat, Wilfred Nziengu and David Obamba. Match commissioner will be Eugene Katamban from Uganda. Wambura said the return leg encounter has been listed on either March 2, 3 and 4 in Bujumbura, Burundi.

By NELLY MTEMA, Tanzania Daily News

Mt. Gorilla rally brought forward

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This year’s Rwanda Mt. Gorilla rally has been brought forward to September 13-15 by the World Motor Sports Council.

A World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) meeting held in Singapore late last year confirmed that the three-day event, which also counts as a round on the FIA Africa Rally Championship, would be held in September.

The opening round (Zimbabwe Challenge Rally) is penciled for March 16-18 and will be followed by the Sasol Rally of South Africa in April (19-21), Zambia international rally in May (11-13) and the KCB Safari Rally in June (8-10).

The championship will then head to Uganda for the KCB Pearl of Africa rally in July (13-15) before crossing to Tanzania for the Kobil rally in August (24-26).

The final round (Madagascar international rally) will be held in November (16-18).

Jean Yves Ranarivelo of Madagascar beat Davite Giancarlo to win last year’s Mt. Gorilla Rally. Burundi’s Valery Bukera claimed the final podium slot.

2012 FIA African Rally Championship calendaToyota Zimbabwe Challenge Rally

Sasol Rally -South Africa
Zambia International Rally
KCB Safari Rally
KCB Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally
Kobil Rally of Tanzania
KCB Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally
Rally International Madagascarr

By Bonnie Mugabe, The New Times

United Nations: Who ordered the cocaine?

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Experts said the drugs had a street value of $2 million (AFP/Getty Images/File, Joe Raedle)

UNITED NATIONS — A 16 kilo (35.5 pounds) consignment of cocaine that Mexican drug traffickers recently lost has turned up in an unlikely place — the United Nations in New York.

Police and UN officials Thursday described how two fake UN bags containing the drugs — which experts said had a street value of about $2 million — set off a security alert when they were delivered, apparently by accident, to the the global body’s headquarters.

The bags, which had the UN symbol printed on them, were shipped from Mexico through the DHL delivery company’s center in Cincinnati, Ohio, Deputy Commissioner Paul Browne of the New York Police Department told AFP.

But the bags had no address on them, nor any return to sender details.

“It is my understanding that because there was no addressee, the DHL just thought well that’s the UN symbol so we should ship it on to UN headquarters and let them figure out who it was supposed to go to,” Browne said.

But the two UN bags were “obvious fakes” and were quickly intercepted by security staff when they arrived on January 16. The bags contained about 14 hard cover books which had been hollowed to create space for the cocaine.

“The working theory now is that possibly it was never meant to have left Mexico at all,” the deputy commissioner said, adding that the bags were “a bad fake”.

“Somebody in Mexico is probably in trouble now having let a significant amount of cocaine out of their possession,” he added.

UN officials said the bags were like flour sacks but were the wrong color or material to be any kind of official bag. “It was not a diplomatic pouch. That I can say categorically,” UN spokesman Martin Nesirky told reporters.

Copyright © 2012 AFP. All rights reserved.

Nshimiyimana happy with Kiyovu draw

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Isonga captain Emery Bayisenge scored for the youthful side on Wednesday. The New Times / T. Kisambira

Isonga coach Eric Nshimiyimana believes his side is making positive strides in their debut season in the Primus League.

Isonga bounced back from a 2-1 defeat in their last league match (against defending champions APR) to hold SC Kiyovu to a 1-all draw at Kigali Regional Stadium on Wednesday.

“I think we played well against Kiyovu. The coordination is finally starting to show and I know that we shall get even better once we play more games,” the former APR coach said.

Isonga skipper Emery Bayisenge put Isonga in front from the spot-kick at the stroke of half time but the green baggies secured a point thanks to a fine header from new recruit Simon Okwi.

The result kept Kiyovu fourth on the league table with 21 points while Isonga jumped out of the relegation zone on goal difference.

The youthful side is on level points (six) with Nyanza, Espoir and AS Kigali.

On Sunday, Isonga will travel to Etincelles.

Primus League
Kiyovu 1-1 Isonga

By Bonnie Mugabe, The New Times

Investors exhibit positive perception on T-bills

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Bank of Tanzania

Investors appetite and confidence on government securities are gradually picking up as reflected in the outcome of the Bank of Tanzania’s (BoT) recent auctions.

For example, the five-year fixed Treasury bond auction on Wednesday this week was oversubscribed by 54.14bn/- against the 25bn/- that the central bank sought. Likewise, twelve month treasury bills auction last week was oversubscribed by 69.29bn/-.

Analysts attribute the oversubscription to the easing of liquidity stance with overnight rates decreasing from record high in the months of December 2011 and early January this year. “It remains to be seen as a positive sentiment. We expect the over subscription and cut-off at 18 per cent. Most trading books are expected to be targeting the five-year bond to add on some risk,” projected the Standard Chartered Bank in its daily commentary ahead of the auction.

According to the report, the secondary market was as well expected to start picking up. Similarly, the completion of tax obligations by most key players in government securities explains reason for the oversubscription. Over 60 per cent of the key players of long term maturities are commercial banks, with only five per cent as retail investors. Others are pension funds, insurance companies and a few micro-finance institutions.

According to the BoT Treasury Bonds Auction Summary, yield to maturity was set at 17.05 per cent with the bank accepting 25bn/- as successful amount despite the oversubscription. In the last half of 2011, the central bank cancelled several bonds auctions including; the two for seven years and one for two-years–over disagreement with bidding investors who offered low coupon rates while a number of bonds had been undersubscribed.

Source Tanzania Daily News

Zantel re-launches Ezy Pesa, Farijika Insurance in Dar

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Zantel Chief Business Officer, Ahmed Mokhels (right), speaking during the launch of financial services via mobile phone Zantel Ezy Money in Dar es Salaam yesterday evening. Others from left is Chairman of the National Insurance Corporation, Ambassador Charles Mutalemwa, Zantel Chief Executive Officer Ali Bin Jarsh and Deputy Minister of Communications, Science and technology, Charles Kitwanga.

Zantel Mobile Company on Thursday re-launched its financial services—Ezy Pesa and Farijika insurance—in Dar es Salaam amid promises of easing financial transactions for its customers.

Zantel Chief Executive Officer Ali Bin Jarsh said, “Zantel was the first to introduce this service in 2008…our vision has not changed but we have worked hard to improve this service to serve you better.  We have modified and improved the service, which we are re-launching today as Ezy Pesa.”

The CEO said Zantel envision the service to be used for personal and commercial purposes, noting that the firm has made it easy for its customers to transact be is paying their local retailers, sending money to their families or paying employees.

“Our journey in the financial space has been not so easy, but we have picked enough learning’s and reshaped our offering and we believe this re-launch is a stage for the service to take off,” said Mr Jarsh, noting, “Zantel is committed to ensure customers get the best in mobile financial services.”

The firm’s Chief Commercial Officer, Mr Ahmed Mokhles said, “This is another opportunity to demonstrate our achievements as a telecommunication company…we are determined to provide affordable communication services in an innovative way.” He said the need and opportunity for mobile money are shared by businesses and their customers. For businesses across industries, the mobile channel offers the opportunity to reach new customers as well as to provide better service to existing customers.

The mobile channel opens doors to financial services for majority who lack access to formal financial services and the unbanked customers. And, for the banked, mobile money service facilitates financial sector inclusion that gives customers enormous potential for development impact.

The Bank of Tanzania’s (BoT) Deputy Governor, Mr Juma Reli said Zantel has played a big role on pushing the services to Tanzanians, saying the central bank has opened doors to increase financial services in the country. Deputy Minister for Communication, Science and Technology Charles Kitwanga said, ‘The country still needs more of these services to solve problems of workers and farmers in rural areas, particularly.”

He said the Ezy Money and Farijika services will help many Tanzanians but challenged the service providers to avail the services to a wider spectrum of the citizens.

Source Tanzania Daily News

Rwanda: Clubs gear up for Muhanga 7s

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Buffaloes will again count on Vincent Kamali in the upcoming Muhanga 7s.

Twelve clubs including one from Burundi will take part in the inaugural Muhanga 7s next month.

The one-day tournament will also be used to mark the club’s one year existence with Muhanga Mayor Yvonne Mutakwasuku presiding over the prize giving ceremony.

Alex Araire, an official from the club told Times Sport yesterday that their target is to reach the semi-finals.

“We will be up against the very best like Buffaloes, Lion der Fer, Sharks but that will not deter our target of reaching the semis,” the veteran player said.

The club is desperately looking for Rwf 1m to host the tournament, which will be the second 7s tournament after last week’s Buffaloes 7s.

By Ostine Arinaitwe, The New Times

Sudan end goal drought to hold Angola

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Sudan ended a 36-year Africa Cup of Nations goal drought as they came from behind twice to draw 2-2 with Angola in the first of two Group B matches played yesterday.

Former Manchester United striker Manucho scored five minutes into each half for the Black Antelopes and Mohamed Bashir twice levelled for the Jediane Falcons at a sparsely populated Estadio Nuevo de Malabo.

Angola came into the game anxious to silence critics like Burkina Faso coach Paulo Duarte, who accused his conquerors of being a route-one team fond of time wasting.

Coach Mohamed Abdalla sprang a surprise by ditching long-time Sudan first choice goalkeeper Almoiz Mahgoub and promoting Akram while fit-again Mohamed Tahir returned in the other change from a team narrowly beaten by Ivory Coast.

Akram did not have a memorable introduction to Cup of Nations football as he picked the ball out of the net only five minutes into the game after an opportunist Manucho goal.

On the 29th minute, Sudan leveled as Bashir headed home a millimetre-perfect Mudathir Eltaib cross.

It was the first goal scored by the Falcons since March 6 1976 when they drew 1-1 with Zaire – now the Democratic Republic of Congo – in a meaningless group game.

Yesterday’s results

Group B
Sudan 2-2 Angola

Today’s fixtures
Group C
Niger vs Tunisia
Gabon vs Morocco

Source Agencies

Dar eyes Swedish Kronor for EPZs

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Tanzania Industry and Trade minister Dr Cyril Chami.

Tanzania has asked for loan from the Swedish government to invest and develop investment areas under the Export and Processing Zones (EPZs) with significant potential to accelerate economic growth.

Industry, Trade and Marketing Minister Cyril Chami said in a joint press briefing with the Swedish delegation in Dar es Salaam on Thursday that, “We have demarcated EPZs in 17 regions that could offer opportunity for the government to develop but also an opportunity for Swedish investors to come and make joint investment…the government is committed to working cordially with investors.”

Dr Chami told the Swedish delegation, headed by the Minister of Trade Ms Eva Bjorling, that Tanzania prefers loans over grants because repayable money enhances the sense of responsibility.

He cited Bagamoyo District where about 9,000 hectares have been earmarked for EPZ investments, referring to the envisaged Mbegani port as an important opportunity for investors.

The minister assured the Swedish government of diligent work and tireless efforts to address obstacles that have been frustrating investors. The Swedes had decried bureaucratic tax regime, corruption and acute shortage of power as impediments to their planned investments in Tanzania.

Dr Chami said the fourth phase government has waged the war against corruption that has seen some senior government officials being prosecuted. He appealed for support from Stockholm in mass awareness campaign against the social vice.

The minister said there were short and long term investment plans to address the power woes in the country. Ms Bjorling reaffirmed the Swedish commitment to support various development projects particularly on capacity building, with the aim of moving from aid provider to trade facilitator.

She called for concerted efforts to enhance transparencies in all sectors and remove trade barriers particularly in customs to attract investments from Sweden and other parts of the world. She extended an invitation to the regional bloc to participate to an investment conference due in the Swedish capital, Stockholm, later this year, observing that getting businesspeople to talk to each other would set the stage for increased trade between Sweden and Tanzania.

BySEBASTIAN MRINDOKO, Tanzania Daily News

ABBA to release new song

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ABBA are set to release their first new song in 18 years.

The legendary Swedish group – made up of Agnetha Faltskog, Benny Andersson, Bjorn Ulvaeus and Anni-Frid Lyngstad –  will unleash a previously unreleased track on the upcoming deluxe edition of their final 1981 album ‘The Visitors’.

‘From a Twinkling Star to a Passing Angel’ – a previously unheard demo – is described as a “demo medley” on the band’s website, and will mark the first previously unreleased ABBA music since 1994.

ABBA’s popularity has enjoyed a resurgence in recent years, buoyed by stage and big screen versions of the musical ‘Mamma Mia!’, which is based on the group’s songs.

The band formed in Stockholm in 1972 and have sold over 200 million records worldwide, and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010.

Though they never officially broke up, ABBA last performed together as a group in 1982, and members have stated that they don’t intend to officially reunite.

The album will be released in April.

Source  MusicRooms

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