The Dawoodi Bohras of Tanga, Tanzania hosted the 2nd Saifee East African Sports Festival between 17th to 20th April where 720 athletes from community centres across East Africa competed in an array of sports in front of 2,000 spirited spectators.
The event was organised by Annadil Burhani, a local community-run sports organisation, whose secretary, Hatim Anjari, welcomed the players and their supporters at the opening ceremony on 17th April, 2025. “It is great to see such enthusiasm in our East African community. Last year in October, we gathered in Nairobi for an international football tournament and today, it’s Tanga’s privilege to host you all. May the spirit of sportsmanship and the bonds of friendship become stronger with every gathering,” he said.
The president of the Dawoodi Bohra community of Tanga, Zohair Badri, said, “This is truly a remarkable initiative for our community. It’s easy to overlook fitness and well-being in this fast-paced era and it’s reassuring to see such focus on these important values. It’s especially heartening to witness the enthusiasm of young children coming together to participate and compete,” he said.
Despite recent disruptions caused by the pandemic and scheduling challenges, the pan-East Africa festival’s return after six long years—timed with the Easter holidays, traditionally a long weekend—made it more accessible to both students and working professionals. Teams from Tanga, Dar es Salaam, Morogoro, Arusha, Zanzibar, Moshi, Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru and Malindi locked horns in football, cricket, volleyball, table tennis, snooker, squash, and darts.
Mustafa Kurban of Tanga reflected on the host’s performance in cricket and said, “I hadn’t thought Tanga would do as well as it did. Mombasa and Dar es Salaam were stronger units in comparison but surprisingly, we made it to the finals.”
Though Tanga did not lift the trophy, their competitive spirit won the hearts of home fans.
“The organisers also ensured that friends and family from around the world could share in the excitement by setting up livestreaming the event.”
Tanga’s warm hospitality and convenient location made it the perfect destination for this year’s sports festival. Many residents of nearby East African cities trace their roots to Tanga, earning them the nickname ‘Tanga Line People.’ With its accessible location, excellent transport links, and affordable food and accommodation, Tanga is well positioned to attract strong crowds for any major event — and this festival was no exception.
“Tanga did an exceptional job of hosting the event, providing a welcoming environment for both players and spectators,” says Dossaji.