By Brown Msyani
President Jakaya Kikwete is expected to grace the Basketball Charity Day, which will get underway on October 24 at the National Indoor Stadium.
Tanzania Basketball Federation's (TBF) vice president Mussa Mziya said preparations for the eagerly awaited event were on course.
"We decided to invite the president because he is passionate with sports and besides he can inspire young players to love basketball," he said.
He said the tournament is meant to raise funds that would help to promote basketball from the grassroots.
"We are determined more than ever to search for super talents from the lowest level, thus look forward to raising adequate money for the project," he said.
The official named other dignitaries invited as Chief Justice Augustino Ramadhan and the National Assembly Speaker Samuel Sitta.He disclosed that president Kikwete was their basketball patron before being elected president.
"He inspired many players at ABC and we must admit that our Kili RBA's successes were down to him," he said.
He stressed besides the forenamed dignitaries, there would be several ministers, ambassadors and top officials from corporate firms.
According to him, all basketball stakeholders, fans and players from Dar es Salaam's premier league clubs would have a chance to participate in the event.
"We're also planning to organise matches involving veteran players, government officials and diplomats. We want everyone to play on that day," he said.
Basketball is gaining popularity in the country after the towering shot-blocker Hasheem Thabeet made the grades.The Kili RBA that is staged seasonally in Dar es Salaam has also played a pivotal role in the development of the sport.