The Sports Department was established in 2002 after it was disbanded by the growing Cultural and Sports Commission if the main mission is effectively manage sports activities in Zanzibar and ultimately enable Zanzibar to become a country leading to Sports Development for East and Central African Countries .

Once the establishment of the Department, the Seventh Phase President of Zanzibar and the Chairman of the Council of the Revolution Dr. Ali Mohamed Shein appointed Sharifa Khamis Salim as the Commissioner of the Department until 2020.

Currently the Sports Department is headed by Nd.Ameir Mohamed Makame who was appointed as the Commissioner of the Department on 24/05/2021.

The Sports Department is one of the most important departments for the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar due to its planned responsibilities including organizing sports infrastructure and overseeing the overall sports development plan to fulfill the objectives of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar to strengthen the Games as mentioned in the manifesto of The Revolutionary Party as well as achieving the goals of uplifting the youth in terms of sports .

The Sports Department is under the Ministry of Information, Youth, Culture and Sports headed by Sir Tabia Maulid Mwita where this department is headquartered in Mao Zedong Kikwajuni Zanzibar.