Tanzania has agreed to permit Sudanese football club Al Hilal to participate in its football league starting from the next season, despite the ongoing brutal war in Sudan, officials announced on Wednesday.
Tanzanian
With sport activities suspended in Sudan due to the conflict that has resulted in thousands of casualties and the displacement of millions since April 2023, the reigning Sudanese premier league champions will now compete in the Tanzanian league commencing in August, confirmed Clifford Mario Ndimbo, spokesman for the Tanzanian Football Federation.
“We have received the request from Al Hilal to participate in the Tanzania premier league, and it has been approved,” stated Ndimbo in remarks to AFP. “We are currently finalizing some administrative procedures before the commencement at the onset of the new season.”
However, the Khartoum-based club will not be eligible to contend for the league title, and their matches will be designated as friendlies.
“This presents an opportunity for Tanzanian clubs to gain insights from one of the continent’s football powerhouses and to elevate the standard of the local league,” added Ndimbo.
Known for its fierce competition and enthusiastic fan base, the Tanzanian league is recognized as one of the most competitive in East Africa.
Since April 15, 2023, Sudan has been engulfed in conflict, with clashes involving the army led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commanded by General Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, the former deputy head of the military establishment. The ongoing warfare has resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis, acute food shortages, and the country facing the looming threat of famine.
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