DODOMA, July 22 -- THE Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports Paul Makonda has ordered regional basketball association leaders who fail to send teams to the ongoing Taifa Cup tournament to step down, saying they have failed in their responsibility to develop the sport.

Opening the 2026 Taifa Cup in Dodoma on Tuesday, Minister Makonda described the tournament as a vital platform for identifying and nurturing basketball talent across the country.

He said regional officials who did not field teams had no justification for remaining in office, arguing that leadership positions should be held by individuals committed to developing young athletes.

“Any region with a basketball leadership that failed to bring a team to the T...