DAR ES SALAAM: TANZANIAN cricket legend, Bashir Tejani, has received the Lifetime Achievement Award in Sports at the WF50 Sports Awards, recognising his decades of contribution to cricket and service to the sport.

The award was presented by the World Federation of KSI Muslim Communities during celebrations marking its 50th anniversary in London, United Kingdom.

The event brought together approximately 350 guests from around the world, including community leaders, philanthropists, scholars and volunteers.

The Tanzania Cricket Association (TCA), under Chairman Balakrishna Sreekumar, congratulated Tejani on the honour, describing it as recognition of his achievements and continued commitment to the country’s cricketing heritage.

“Beyond his achievements on the field, Bashir has continued to serve the cricket community, helping bring together generations of cricketers and contributing to preservation and promotion of Tanzania’s rich cricketing heritage,” Sreekumar said.

Tributes also came from members of Tanzania’s cricket fraternity, including UK based Kanu Rathod, the Leader of Tanzania Cricket Legends, who congratulated the veteran cricketer.

“You truly deserve applause from the Cricket Legends Group of Tanzania. Well, done,” Rathod said.

Tejani said he was proud to receive the award, particularly for his achievements in cricket and the recognition it brought to his home country.

“It was a great honour for me to receive the Lifetime Sporting Achievement Award in recognition of my career, particularly in cricket. My accomplishments have made my home country – Tanzania, truly proud,” he said.

Born in Zanzibar on March 25, 1946, Tejani began playing cricket at school in 1958 before representing Zanzibar at the age of 15 in 1961. He became a regular member of Tanzania’s national team in 1967.