ABSA BANK CELEBRATES RECORD-BREAKING SUCCESS AT THE 2026 TANZANIA PICKLEBALL OPEN

Absa Bank Tanzania Head of Large Corporates, Christopher Mgani (left), presents awards to winners of the Tanzania Pickleball Open 2026 during the closing ceremony at the Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Club. The tournament was sponsored by Absa Bank.

President of Tanzania Pickleball Association and the East Africa Rackets Sports Club Chairman, Kartik Kapor, shakes hands with Absa Bank Tanzania Head of Large Corporates, Christopher Mgani (right), during the closing ceremony of the Tanzania Pickleball Open 2026, sponsored by the financial institution, at the Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Club.

Absa Bank Tanzania Head of Large Corporates, Christopher Mgani (right), presents trophies to one of the winners of the Tanzania Pickleball Open 2026 during the closing ceremony at the Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Club.

Dar es Salaam - June 2, 2026: Attracting pickleball players from more than seven countries, the Tanzania Pickleball Open 2026 tournament backed by Absa Bank Tanzania, underscoring the growing popularity of the sport and Tanzania’s ambitions to become a regional sports and tourism hub.

The five-day tournament, held at the Gymkhana Club grounds in Dar es Salaam, brought together elite pickleball players from Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo, India, Turkey and Dubai for one of East Africa’s largest pickleball competitions.

Organised through a partnership between the Tanzania Pickleball Association (TPA) and the East Africa Racket Sports Club (EARSC), the event featured a corporate prize pool of US$15,000 and premium playing equipment, attracting both international competitors and local spectators.

As the tournament’s title sponsor, Absa Bank Tanzania said its support reflects a broader commitment to youth development, community engagement and the promotion of emerging sports in the country.

Speaking during the closing ceremony, Absa Bank Tanzania Marketing and Communications Manager, Mr Beda Biswalo, said the tournament had demonstrated the growing potential of pickleball to unite communities and create opportunities for young people.

“We are inspired by the remarkable energy, discipline and international talent displayed throughout the tournament,” said Mr Biswalo. “Our partnership reflects a deeper purpose—championing a sport that unites communities while creating meaningful opportunities for young people.”

WANUFAIKA 588 WA ‘NBC WAJIBIKA SCHOLARSHIP’ WAANZA MAFUNZO YA UFUNDI STADI VETA

Mkurugenzi wa VETA Kanda ya Mashariki, Bw. John Mwanja (wa pili kushoto), Mkuu wa Idara ya Mawasiliano na Mahusiano kwa Umma wa Benki ya Taifa ya Biashara (NBC), Bw. Godwin Semunyu (wa tatu kushoto), na Mkuu wa Chuo cha VETA Kihonda, Dkt. Ulimwengu Salumu (wa tatu kulia) , walimu na wanafunzi, wakisikiliza maelezo kutoka kwa mwanafunzi wa kozi fupi ya Ufundi Bomba katika Chuo cha VETA Kihonda, William Amon (katikati), kuhusu mfumo wa kilimo cha umwagiliaji uliobuniwa na wanafunzi hao. William ni miongoni mwa vijana 588 wanaonufaika na mpango wa ufadhili wa mafunzo ya ufundi stadi kwa vijana unaojulikana kama NBC Wajibika Scholarship, unaotekelezwa na VETA kwa ufadhili wa NBC. Tukio hilo lilifanyika mkoani Morogoro wakati wa uzinduzi rasmi wa utekelezaji wa mpango huo.

Mkurugenzi wa VETA Kanda ya Mashariki, Bw. John Mwanja (katikati) akizungumza na waandishi wa habari (hawapo pichani) wakati wa hafla fupi ya uzinduzi wa utekelezaji wa mpango wa ufadhili wa mafunzo ya ufundi stadi kwa vijana unaojulikana kama ‘NBC Wajibika Scholarship’, kwa tawi la VETA Kihonda Morogoro. Wengine ni Mkuu wa Idara ya Mawasiliano na Mahusiano kwa Umma wa Benki ya Taifa ya Biashara (NBC), Bw. Godwin Semunyu (kushoto), na Mkuu wa Chuo cha VETA Kihonda, Dkt. Ulimwengu Salumu (kulia).

Akizungumza katika hafla hiyo, Bw. Semunyu (kushoto) alisema kuwa kupitia mpango huo NBC inalenga kuwawezesha vijana kupata ujuzi utakaowapa uwezo wa kujiajiri, kuajiriwa na hata kuwaajiri wengine, hivyo kuchangia ukuaji wa uchumi wa taifa.

Mkuu wa Idara ya Mawasiliano na Mahusiano kwa Umma wa Benki ya Taifa ya Biashara (NBC), Bw. Godwin Semunyu (kulia), akipimwa nguo na mwanafunzi wa kozi fupi ya Ubunifu, ushonaji na teknolojia ya nguo katika Chuo cha VETA Kihonda, Amina Rashid (kulia). Amina ni miongoni mwa vijana 588 wanaonufaika na mpango wa ufadhili wa mafunzo ya ufundi stadi kwa vijana unaojulikana kama NBC Wajibika Scholarship, unaotekelezwa na VETA kwa ufadhili wa NBC.

Morogoro, Juni 3, 2026 – Jumla ya vijana 588 wanaonufaika na mpango wa ufadhili wa mafunzo ya ufundi stadi kwa vijana wa ‘NBC Wajibika Scholarship’ wameanza rasmi mafunzo yao katika vyuo vya VETA Kihonda mkoani Morogoro na VETA Mwanza, huku Benki ya NBC ikisisitiza dhamira yake ya kuendelea kuwekeza katika maendeleo ya rasilimali watu kama njia ya kuchochea ukuaji wa uchumi jumuishi nchini.

Mpango huo unatekelezwa kwa ushirikiano kati ya Benki ya NBC na Mamlaka ya Elimu na Mafunzo ya Ufundi Stadi (VETA), ukiwa na lengo la kuwawezesha vijana kupata ujuzi unaowawezesha kujiajiri, kuajiriwa na hata kuwa waajiri, sambamba na kuunga mkono jitihada za Serikali za kujenga uchumi shindani unaotegemea nguvu kazi yenye ujuzi, ubunifu na tija.

Hafla ya uzinduzi wa utekelezaji wa mpango huo ilifanyika katika Chuo cha VETA Kihonda, ambapo wanafunzi 294 wanapatiwa mafunzo, huku idadi kama hiyo ikinufaika katika Chuo cha VETA Mwanza. Hafla hiyo ilihudhuriwa na viongozi mbalimbali wa VETA wakiongozwa na Mkurugenzi wa VETA Kanda ya Mashariki, Bw. John Mwanja, aliyemwakilisha Mkurugenzi Mkuu wa VETA, Mkuu wa Chuo cha VETA Kihonda, Dkt. Ulimwengu Salumu, walimu, wanafunzi wanufaika pamoja na maofisa wa NBC wakiongozwa na Mkuu wa Idara ya Mawasiliano na Mahusiano kwa Umma, Bw. Godwin Semunyu.