Tanzania, May 19 -- Dar es Salaam. Former Manchester United defender and England legend Rio Ferdinand has expressed excitement after receiving a warm reception upon his arrival in Tanzania for a three-day visit aimed at promoting sports and tourism.

Ferdinand arrived at the Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) on Tuesday morning and was received by the Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Paul Makonda, alongside Permanent Secretary and Chief Government Spokesperson Gerson Msigwa, National Sports Council (NSC) secretary general Neema Msitha, and Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) president Wallace Karia.

Traditional dances and chants from hundreds of football fans coloured the reception at Terminal Three, as support...