DAR ES SALAAM, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania's Ministry of Culture, Arts and Sports on Friday told Xinhua that Tanzanian sports lovers on Wednesday night pledged 3.7 billion Tanzanian shillings (about 1.47 million U.S. dollars) to support national sports teams participating in international tournaments.

Beneficiaries of the over 1.4 million dollars include the country's national soccer team Taifa Stars, which is in Cote d'Ivoire for the Jan. 13-Feb. 11 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The ministry noted the money was raised during a gala dinner on Wednesday at the five-star Johari Rotana Hotel in Tanzania's commercial hub of Dar es Salaam graced by Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who pledged 500 million Tanzanian shillings (about 199,237 dollars), urged Tanzanians to rally behind the country's national teams participating in regional and international competitions.

"While our teams are making remarkable progress, they sometimes face budgetary constraints that could hinder their success," she said in a speech read on her behalf by the prime minister.

"Let's all contribute and create an enabling environment for our sportsmen and women to proudly represent Tanzania on the international stage," the president said. Enditem

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