Qualifying For The Amputee World Cup
Ibrahim Mohamed, Tanzania
Ibrahim Mohamed is from Dar es Salaam in Tanzania and is head of first-team coordination at Singida Big Stars FC. He is also known for being the Stadium Announcer at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.
Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your football life?
My name is Ibrahim Mohamed. I am a football fanatic from Tanzania. I work as an adviser and career planner to footballers. In 2022 I got a new job working as head of first-team coordination at Singida Big Stars FC, one of the biggest clubs in Tanzania. I live in Dar es Salaam, famously working as the Stadium Announcer at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.
Here in Tanzania, I support the team that I work with, Singida Big Stars FC, but globally I am a huge fan of Arsenal because of their philosophy and style of play.
What did you try to show with the photos?
Some of the photos were taken during the CECAFA Women's Challenge Cup held in Dar es Salaam, at the Chamazi Stadium. Some others were taken during the Amputee African Cup of Nations (CANAF) in 2021 held in Dar es Salaam, at Mkapa Stadium.
In all of my photos, I was trying to show that football is loved in Tanzania no matter your situation. If you have been given a chance to showcase your talent, you can, regardless of your physical condition.
My favourite photos are of the Tanzania v Angola amputee football match at the beautiful Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam during the CANAF games. It was my first time watching such a game. At first, I was scared when I saw players foul but it is actually the same as in able-bodied football.
You can also see Polish referee Pavel Susek officiating the match, some Tanzanian substitutes, and a Sierra Leone player picking himself during another match.
The Tanzania Amputee Football team qualified for the Amputee World Cup 2022, where they were able to reach the knockout stage. This is an amazing story as they were the first team from Tanzania to qualify for a World Cup!
I also captured a U20 mini scouting tournament hosted by Shadaka Sports and a match between KMC FC and Rajaa FC at the Uhuru Stadium.
Why is football so important for Tanzania and its people?
Football is the way of life here in Tanzania. It connects people: adults to youth, the rich, and middle class, and it brings jobs too. I have always asked people to come and invest in Tanzania, especially in football, because it will open other doors for people too.
What does football mean to you?
To me football means LIFE. After college, I quickly started to work in football. All of my income is football sourced.
The beautiful part of being a stadium announcer is always to connect with fans inside the stadium. For example, when announcing a goal, you say the first name of the goal scorer and the crowd joins you in saying the second name.
What are your ambitions?
I want to get a scholarship and study sports management. I want to use education to come back home to help my community on how sports can change our lives.
What is the future for football in Tanzania?
The future looks bright in Tanzania. The national team has qualified for the last two Africa Cup of Nations, and we have a good youth system nowadays which will hopefully develop higher level players.
We need to find the right people to invest in youth development at different clubs because always by investing in youth, you invest for the future. We also need investment in proper football infrastructure such as football grounds and football schools.
