The Government has called upon the local athletes to stop looking for "scapegoats" when it comes to a dismal performance.

"It has been a trend whereby during flag presentation, athletes promise for victories but in most cases it has been contrary", said Mohammed Kiganja, acting National Sports Council (NSC) secretary general.

"Before leaving, you better tell the real situation of preparations instead of promising what normally comes out contrary", he said.

He said this while presenting the national flag to the Under-20 national handball team, which depart on Sunday for the Burundian capital city of Bujumbura to compete in the African Challenge Trophy.

"While leaving the country, they tell us to have undergone an intensive training from which we expect medals or titles, but when they fail, they keep mum instead of admitting their failures and make good future plans ", he said

"When you leave the country, you come to the Government for blessings, but while coming back home empty ended, you don't come to us again and tell us what transpired and the reasons behind your failure", he said.

During the flag handing over presentation, Kiganja urged the players to be good ambassadors.

He said it was unfair for some athletes and their respective associations to keep silent upon their return as they use lots of tax payers money's for their preparations and participation.

Tanzania will face Ethiopia in the curtain raiser of the handball Challenge Trophy to start on Monday.

Tanzania Amateur Handball Association (TAHA) secretary general, Nicholaus Mihayo said yesterday that members of the team are expected to depart for Burundi on Sunday.

Members of the team who are expected to depart on Sunday are Juma Hamza (team captain), Yusuf Waziri, Abdallah Yusuf, Valance Mbani, Hamis Nassoro, Othman Abdallah and Samwel Kingu.

Others are Hussein Jumanne, Abinery Kusenha, Biek Ndyamkama, Carlos Mchelle, Juma Mussa, Hussein Singa, Hamad Ally, Issa Yasin and James Ndauka.They will be under head coach Joseph Mhagama.

Sudi Omary, who is the former TAHA secretary general will be heading the Tanzanian entourage while Cecilius Fusi, former TAHA Chairman will also be part of the trip to attend meetings of the Confederation of African Handball (CAHB).

Other countries to field teams in the event include Kenya, Uganda, Seychelles, Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt.

Tanzania has regularly been competing in the event but failed to clinch the title.