Dar es Salaam. The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has appointed Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) President Wallace Karia and Young Africans SC President Engineer Hersi Said to different high-level committees, a move that has been widely praised by football stakeholders in Tanzania.
According to an official communication from FIFA Secretary General, Mattias Grafstrom, Karia has been appointed Vice President of the FIFA Beach Soccer Committee.
The committee is chaired by Haiti Football Federation President Thierry Ariontima, with Karia becoming the fourth African member, joining Fesal Sidat (Mozambique), Samir Sobha (Mauritius), and another representative from Seychelles.
In addition to this new global role, Karia also serves as a member of CAF’s Finance Committee and the CHAN Organising Committee, responsible for the African Nations Championship for locally-based players.
His appointment is yet another sign of Tanzania’s growing influence in continental and global football governance.
Meanwhile, Hersi Said has been appointed Member of the FIFA Committee for All Men’s Club Competitions for the 2025–2029 term.
This position expands his global profile further, coming at a time when he is also serving as Chairman of the African Clubs Association (ACA).
The appointments were officially announced on October 6, 2025, during the CAF General Assembly held in Kinshasa, DR Congo, followed by formal letters of confirmation to the respective leaders.
Additionally, Neema Haji, the Coordinator of Tanzania’s women’s national teams, was appointed Member of the FIFA Women’s Youth Football Committee, adding another Tanzanian figure to FIFA’s global leadership network.
What It Means for Tanzania
These appointments mark a significant milestone for Tanzanian football, highlighting its growing reputation on the international stage.
With Karia, Hersi, and Neema taking up key global positions, Tanzania now enjoys greater representation in decisions shaping both African and world football.
The former CEO of both Simba and Yanga, Senzo Mazingiza, applauded the development, stating: “These appointments confirm that Tanzanian football is making remarkable progress. From TFF to CECAFA, CAF and now FIFA, Karia’s leadership has elevated the game’s standards. This is a huge honour for Tanzanian football.”
He added that Hersi’s appointment was equally significant: “Having worked with him, I know how passionate he is about development. Under his leadership, Yanga has transformed, and his growing international presence benefits not only him but the entire Tanzanian football fraternity.”
The Chairman of the Dar es Salaam Regional Football Association (DRFA), Lameck Nyambaya, also hailed the move:
“I congratulate President Karia for this new role. As someone who has worked closely with him, I know how dedicated he is to the development of football in Tanzania. We’ve made tremendous progress in beach soccer within a short time, and this appointment will only strengthen that growth.”
He further commended Hersi’s rise: “This is a continuation of his contribution to African club football. Since becoming ACA Chairman, he has championed the empowerment of clubs across the continent. FIFA has recognised his impact, and this new role will elevate him and Tanzania to even greater heights.”
