Tanzania Prisons have departed Tabora for Dodoma ahead of their NBC Premier League match against Yanga, according to the club’s Information Officer Alexander Ngelela.
The team had arrived in Tabora on Tuesday preparing to host the match at Ali Hassan Mwinyi Stadium. However, the Tanzania Premier League Board (TPLB) later directed that the fixture be played at Jamhuri Stadium in Dodoma after the Tabora venue failed to meet the required standards.
Ngelela explained that the club had earlier written to the league authorities informing them of their decision to use Ali Hassan Mwinyi Stadium after their original home ground, Sokoine Stadium, was suspended.
“It is true that the League Board sent us a letter suspending the use of Sokoine Stadium, so we chose Ali Hassan Mwinyi Stadium as our alternative home venue,” Ngelela said.
“We sought approval from Hassan Abdallah, the Acting Chairman of the League Board, who gave us the green light to proceed with other match preparations.”
He added that in accordance with the league’s 72-hour regulation, the team began its journey early to Tabora to complete final preparations for the match.
“While we were on our way, we received an email asking us to confirm whether we had permission to use Ali Hassan Mwinyi Stadium. After confirming, the Acting Chairman allowed us to continue with preparations for the match.”
However, after the team arrived in Tabora, another communication from the league board informed them that the stadium did not meet the required standards.
“Based on Regulation 17, subsection five, which allows the League Board to make alternative decisions, the match has now been scheduled to take place at Jamhuri Stadium in Dodoma.”
“As Tanzania Prisons, our responsibility is to follow the rules and regulations, so we are now heading to Dodoma for our match against Yanga,” Ngelela added.
