President of Tanzania John Pombe Magafuli has renamed the country’s National stadium to Mkapa stadium in honour of the late former President Benjamin Willian Mkapa.
While addressing the nation, the current president revealed that Mkapa was quite passionate about sports and many people had backed the idea of naming the stadium after him after he succumbed to a short illness on the 24 of July.
“In sports and art, [the late Mkapa] made a huge contribution,” Magufuli said in his address to the nation.
“I have heard he was an ardent fan of Yanga SC, although I personally never heard him declare it publicly.
“Tanzanians will not forget Mkapa for building them a sports stadium. Many want the facility to be renamed Mkapa Stadium. I understand Mkapa never wanted facilities to be named after him.
“However, because of the many messages I have received, and because [Mkapa] is currently sleeping [in death] and he cannot take action against me, I have now decided the facility will now be referred to as Mkapa Stadium.
“It is the only way we can honour and remember him for the contribution he had for the growth of sports in the country.”
