DAR ES SALAAM, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa on Thursday commended the world football governing body, FIFA, for measures it was taking to end corruption in sports.
Majaliwa made the commendation during talks with FIFA President Gianni Infantino at State House in the commercial capital Dar es Salaam, said a statement by the Prime Minister's Office.
"The government of Tanzania is wholeheartedly supporting measures being taken by FIFA to fight corruption in sports and misuse of funds earmarked to improve sports, especially football," the statement quoted the prime minister as saying.
He said the fight against corruption in football will improve the image of the game loved by millions of people across the world, adding that it will also lead to getting honest leaders in sports.
Majaliwa said Tanzania will ensure that there was no corruption in sports and that football was improved to high standards.
The FIFA President on Thursday chaired the Executive Football Summit (EFS), the first of its kind hosted by the east African nation.
The summit brought together presidents and general secretaries of 21 FIFA member associations on the same table.
The summit also attracted FIFA Vice-President David Gill, FIFA General Secretary Fatma Diouf Samoura and Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Ahmad Ahmad.
"This summit was of a huge significance for the country because it brought into the country top brass from FIFA as well as those from the CAF," said Harrison Mwakyembe, Tanzania's Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports.
Mwakyembe said the fact that FIFA selected Tanzania to host such a summit signified that the world football governing body has faith in policies and strategies the country was taking in developing football.
"They have shown faith on us and the kind of transformation FIFA was undergoing under the leadership of President Infantino was a replica of what the fifth phase government under President John Magufuli was doing here," added Mwakyembe, in reference to measures Tanzanian President Magufuli was taking, including fighting corruption, enhancing tax collection and reducing unnecessary government expenditure.
