Published: August 4, 2026 at 10:19 am
Jay Shah, chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), officially inaugurated the Tanzania Cricket Association’s (TCA) brand new TCA Arena on August 2, 2026, in a historic ceremony that marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for cricket in Tanzania.
The ceremony brought together several luminary sporting and political figures, including ICC Board Directors, senior government officials and various members from the wider national and international sports ecosystem.
Joining Shah on the official stage were Prof William A L Anangisye, vice chancellor of the University of Dar es Salaam; Neema Msitha, secretary general of the National Sports Council, and Dr B S Sreekumar, chairman of the Tanzania Cricket Association.
The inauguration took place just days before Tanzania hosts the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Challenge League B 2026 from August 8 to 18, with the TCA Arena serving as the principal venue for the competition.
The journey towards completion of the TCA Arena began in October 2024, when the University of Dar es Salaam allocated land for the project.
A groundbreaking ceremony followed in April 2025 in the presence of ICC Directors and representatives of ICC Member countries. Construction commenced in May 2025, beginning with extensive site clearance and ground preparation, and concluding in July 2026 with the venue ready to host international cricket.
The TCA Arena provides Tanzania with a high-quality cricket facility capable of hosting ICC pathway events and international competitions. It will also serve as a centre for player development, coach and umpire education, talent identification, grassroots participation and community cricket programmes.
“The inauguration of the TCA Arena is a significant milestone for cricket in Tanzania and demonstrates what can be achieved through vision, commitment and strong collaboration,” said Jay Shah.
“The progress made by the Tanzania Cricket Association is remarkable. TCA have shown great ambition and determination in developing a modern cricket facility while continuing to expand participation, strengthen its workforce and create better opportunities for players across the country.
“The TCA Arena represents an exciting future for cricket in Tanzania and the wider African region. It will provide an important platform for Tanzania to host international cricket, develop its players, coaches and match officials, and inspire more young people to become involved in the game.
“The ICC will continue to work alongside Tanzania and its other Members to enhance cricket infrastructure, build local capability and ensure that the opportunities available through ICC programmes are used to create sustainable growth,” he added.
“The inauguration of the TCA Arena is a defining moment for cricket in Tanzania. This facility is far more than a cricket ground; it represents a vision for the future of our sport and demonstrates what can be achieved through strong partnerships, commitment and belief,” said Dr BS Sreekumar.
“We are proud to provide our players, coaches and future generations with a world-class home for cricket, while creating new opportunities to host international competitions and inspire more young Tanzanians to embrace the game. On behalf of the Tanzania Cricket Association, I extend my sincere appreciation to the International Cricket Council, the University of Dar es Salaam, the Government of Tanzania, our sponsors, partners, contractors, staff and everyone whose dedication has made this dream a reality.”
