Athletic Tanzania secretary general Suleiman Nyambui

Tanzania athletes have been invited to compete in this year’s edition of Mauritius Marathon on June 26, the Athletic Tanzania secretary general Suleiman Nyambui confirmed yesterday.

Nyambui said his association is looking for funds to cater for return air tickets in time for the event.

The AT has received an invitation extended by the Mauritius Athletics Association in connection with the event.

Top African athletes from all corners of the continent are expected to show up at the Marathon in one of the greatest shows for the 2011 season.

However, Nyambui could not unveil the number of athletics who will make the trip as funds availability would be a determinant factor.

The At boss said the Mauritius marathon is very significant to keep local athletes on their toes and active while gearing for the All African Games to be held in Mozambique and the World Athletic Championship (WAC) to be staged in Korea from August to September.

“This event is of big significant to us taking into consideration that it does not only expose our athletes to the international competitions, but also keep them fit and active for high profile events”, he said.

Priority to send the athletics team would bank heavily on those who excelled during the East and Central Africa Championship that ended in Dar es Salaam last Saturday.

Meanwhile, a fund raising group “Walk For More Medals” has been formed in Dar es Salaam to solicit funds for the athletic team that gears up for the All Africa Games.

The group’s acting chairman Fredrick Mwakalebela said an entertainment company; Edge would be responsible to conduct shows aimed at raising funds for the athletics team.

A five kilometer fun walk will be staged on May 26 in Dar es Salaam as the first attempt towards the fund raising programme.

Mwakalebela said the funds to be raised would cater for paying athletes’ allowances, internal transport, accommodation, training equipment, organising trial games and medicines.