Zanzibar — UZINI Member of the House of Representative, Mohamed Raza has donated sports gear and trophy worth Sh35 million for Maskani Special football tournament being part of commemoration of 26-CCM anniversary.

The sports equipment for the tournament which will compete teams from all six regions here include jerseys, balls, boots while other costs will be directed to transport and administration cost of the event.

Handing over the trophy to Zanzibar President, who is also CCM-Vice Chairman, Ali Mohamed Shein, the tournament sponsor, Raza said the sponsorship aim at building harmony and mobilizing growth of the ruling party through football.

He named teams which will compete in the event scheduled to start today and climax on Wednesday at the Amaan Stadium as Kusini Unguja, Kaskazini Unguja, Mangharibi, Mjini, Kusini Pemba and Kaskazini Pemba. "Together with my family, we have decided to sponsor the event by meeting all the cost needed to run the event and make it successful," he said.

Raza said to ensure that everything is in order, they have footed all the bills in advance, calling for fans to show up in big number as there is no entrance fee to the event.

President Shein commended Raza's family for the support, saying football has a long history in the Isles as it was the game that used to unite TANU and Afro Shiraz party members. He underlined the importance of sports as a tool for community unity and he stressed the need for the tournament to be used for the desired goals.

The Isles President stressed for the fair game throughout the five-day event in which, he will be the chief guest during the final match.