PREPARATIONS for this year's National May Day Cup tournament will start the earliest, organizers said.According to a statement issued by event's Organizing Committee Secretary General, Award Safari, this year's tournament will run from April 16 to 29 at a venue to be announced later.

"We would like to inform all teams that the committee has already contacted top leaders of Trade Unions Congress of Tanzania (TUCTA), in order to know which region will host this year's event.

We advise all teams to be patient while we are waiting for a response from TUCTA. We will let them know via invitation letters to the tournament," he said.

The May Day Cup which normally involves sportsmen and women form such federations as SHIMMUTA, SHIMIWI, SHIMISEMITA and BAMMATA is one of grandeur event which colours the May Day celebrations.

Last year's tournament was held in Tanga, whereby the Ministry of Defence and National Service became champions in football and netball respectively. The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare clinched the trophy in tug-of- war in men's category, while Ministry of Infrastructure emerged winners for the same in women category.

The games which are normally competed for during the tournament are football, netball, tug-of-war, athletics, bicycle race, playing cards, draft and 'bao.'