By Business Insider Reporter
The 2026 Labour Day sports celebrations will get underway this week with a high-profile netball clash between the Vice President Office (VPO) team and the Ministry of Water, setting the tone for a nationwide tournament that blends workplace camaraderie with competitive sport.
According to the official fixture released on April 15 by the National May Day Games Organising Committee, the opening match will be played on April 16 at Mji Mwema Stadium in Njombe.
The event forms part of the broader celebrations of International Workers’ Day, which this year will be hosted nationally in the region.
The Vice President’s Office netball team enters the competition with a sense of optimism despite making its debut appearance in the tournament.
Speaking ahead of the opener, team secretary Marwa Nyaisawa said preparations had been thorough, with the squad aiming to compete strongly from the group stages onwards.
“This may be our first appearance in the competition, but we have prepared well and expect to offer stiff competition to every team we face,” he said.
Group stage battle lines drawn
The team has been placed in Group H alongside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, as well as the Dodoma Regional Commissioner’s Office – fixtures that promise a competitive group phase.
Following the opening encounter against the Ministry of Water, the Vice President’s Office side will face the Dodoma Regional Commissioner’s Office on April 17 before wrapping up the group stage against the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation on April 18.
Officials acknowledge the intensity of the tournament, noting that participating teams are often well-prepared, reflecting the growing competitiveness of institutional sports in Tanzania.
However, Nyaisawa expressed confidence that the team’s technical bench has successfully built morale and belief within the squad.
Building a competitive future
For head coach Mafuru Buriro, the May Day Games are not just about immediate results but about laying the foundation for a strong, competitive netball programme.
“All players are ready, and we are improving day by day. The technical bench is addressing minor weaknesses observed during training, and we are determined to show something different to our opponents,” he said.
Buriro added that the tournament provides a valuable platform to assess players and refine tactics ahead of future national competitions.
More than just sport
The May Day Games have evolved into a significant fixture on Tanzania’s sporting calendar, particularly within public institutions, where they promote health, teamwork and inter-agency collaboration.
This year’s theme – “Sports for Health, Employment, Happiness and Continued Work; Decent Work as a Strong Pillar for Sustainable Development in the Implementation of Dira 2050” – underscores the broader role of sport in supporting national development goals. As the opening whistle approaches in Njombe, attention will not only be on the scoreboard but also on how emerging teams like the Vice President’s Office use the platform to establish themselves in Tanzania’s growing netball scene.
