TFF needs Tenga`s services more than does CECAFA

Tanzania Football Federation President Leodegar Paul Chila Tenga

Reports that Tanzania Football Federation President Leodegar Paul Chila Tenga is aspiring for the topmost post in the Confederation of Eastern and Central African Football Associations (Cecafa) is bad news.

I am compelled to say so because he would have to resign from his present post in case he becomes the Cecafa chairperson - and there is immense possibility of his sailing through.

My humble but considered submission is that TFF needs Tenga`s services more than does Cecafa because, for one thing, he is not yet through with the reforms set to stabilise the state of our country`s soccer. So, whoever advised Tenga to vie for the Cecafa post does not wish Tanzania`s soccer well.

Tenga`s short tenure in the TFF offices has brought about dramatic changes in the way soccer is, and ought to be, organised.

His imposing presence in the admittedly hot seat has enabled the germination of a sense of discipline and order in our soccer, including the way to handle even the trickiest of issues.

It is noteworthy that the quality of individuals` leadership has an important effect on the well-being and achievements of sports institutions or organisations.

Tenga has without doubt enabled Tanzania`s soccer to regain its respect and fame by strengthening interpersonal links among the prime actors, among them players, coaches, referees as well as regional and district football association leaderships.

One of the most important ingredients of sound leadership is the ability to win and retain the trust of all those people in one?s line of duty.

Tenga has made a splendid job by making many right decisions at the right time and especially by his ability to delegate powers and duties to the respective committees and individuals.

Even this early, this has culminated in enabling TFF?s affairs to be handled the way they are supposed to.

Anyone visiting the federation`s headquarters at the Karume Memorial Stadium in Dar es Salaam easily notices, smells and feels the many positive changes which have taken place under the Tenga presidency.

The famed former national star has succeeded in instilling discipline and order both at the TFF offices and in the way decent soccer is organised.

He has never allowed himself to be swayed from his good sense of judgment by influential individuals who would always like to see the teams they support given special favours.

Throughout his stay in the office, big clubs like Simba and Yanga (for which he featured in his heyday as a player) have not managed to dictate issues the way they used to do with great ease in the past.

It is partly this that makes me believe that TFF needs Tenga now more than ever before because he is many light years away from what he wants to achieve for the good of this country`s soccer.

Despite his critics? allegations that he is too lenient and poor in decision-making, the soft-spoken Tenga has shown creditable potential as a leader even in times of crisis and adversity.

His personality traits which have a direct bearing on leadership include emotional stability, creativity, assertiveness and intelligence have made him easily one of the most effective soccer leaders Tanzania has ever had.

It is quite possible that it is for this reason that some individuals thought it wise to advise him to aspire for the Cecafa chairpersonship.

In case Tenga gets elected to the position, he will thereafter be compelled to resign as TFF president and thus end his direct contribution to domestic soccer.

Lest I be misunderstood, I would like to stress that I do not mean to say that Tenga is perfect and irreplaceable. That would be a wild exaggeration.

However, I doubt if there is currently any strong enough personality out there who can really tread in his footsteps.

Meanwhile, there are two questions which keep lingering in my head and I which would like to share with my fellow Tanzanian soccer enthusiasts.

One relates to whether there is really anything for Tanzania to benefit from Tenga`s Cecafa chairpersonship or presidency that it does not benefit whilst he is TFF President.

The other question relates to how Tenga would contribute towards making Tanzania excel in soccer while he is outside a local soccer governing body.

Were I lucky enough to be consulted, I would have seriously advised those who advised Tenga to vie for the Cecafa post to feel ashamed and let him finish the tough and taxing TFF job he has just begun.
Charity begins at home.