8th EAC Inter-Parliamentary Games kick off the block in Dar

Posted in Press Release

East African Legislative Assembly, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: 4th December 2017:

The 8th Inter-Parliamentary Games Tournament has kicked off in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, with legislators getting off the blocks on a sure footing, winning a good number of the track and field events.
 
In athletics, Parliament of Uganda’s Hon Julius Alhon Bua lit the Uwanja wa Taifa (main stadium) in the 1500 metres Men finals to capture gold returning 04.36 minutes as compatriot, Hon Mbwatekamwa Gaffa settled for 2nd place after rescuing 5.25 minutes. 


The third place went to Kenya’s Hon John Paul Mwirigi.  In the women’s race, the tide changed as Hon Josefa Komba of the Parliament of Tanzania returned 7.28 minutes, few seconds earlier than Hon Adeke Anna of Parliament of Uganda who came in second.  Third place went to Hon Kinyamatama Juliet of Parliament of Uganda who managed 8.19.
 
The 100 metre dash had a scintillating final.  In the Men’s race, Hon Vincent Musyoka of Parliament of Kenya made 11.61, forty-five seconds ahead of Hon Mbwatekamwa Gaffa of Parliament of Uganda – who realized 12.43.    Third place went to Hon Nixon Korir of Kenya who returned 13.05.
 
Parliament of Kenya’s Hon Mercy Chebeny scooped gold in 400 metres returning 1.23 minutes, 3 seconds head of Hon Esther Matiku as Hon Achen Christine finished third clocking 1.29 seconds. The script was the same as in the Men’s 400 metres with Parliament of Kenya’s Hon Victor Munyaka (1.00) and Hon Moses Kajwang (1.02) taking a 1-2 finish.   Parliament of Uganda’s Hon Mbwatekamwa Gaffa managed 1.04 to take the third place.
 
A similar exciting race was the 200 metrres where Uganda’s Hon Katwesigye crossed the line first on 35.0 while Hon Rose Tweve (36.24) and Hon Esther Matiku (37.16) finished in second and third place respectively.
In the men’s category, Hon Dan Wanyama of Parliament of Kenya (26.28) led compatriot, Hon Charles Nguna (27.44) while 3rd place went to Parliament of Uganda’s Hon Alero Tom Aza (27.68).
 
Team Uganda’s Hon Julius Achon scooped the 800 metre race managing 2.16 as Hon Patrick Malilo from Kenya crossed the line on 2.29, just twenty seconds ahead of Tanzania’s Hon Hassan Masala.
 
In the 4 x 100 metre dash, Team Kenya consisting of Hon Dan Wanyama, Hon Victor Munyaka, Hon Nixon Korir and Hon Vincent Musau made for the tape at 51.53 to scoop gold. Parliament of Uganda’s Hon Atiku Benaro, Hon Mbatekamwa Gaffa, Hon Alero Tom Aza and Hon Pentagon Kamusiime took the third slot.
 
The 400 x 4 dash also lit the crowd of spectators who braved the early afternoon heat. In the Men’s category, Hon Dan Wanyama of Kenya led compatriot to a comfortable 4.08 strong finish over Parliament of Uganda led by Hon Alero Tom Aza.   Hon Stephen Masele and teammates returned third. In the women’s category, Hon Zubeda Sukuru and team managed 6.41 narrowly beating Hon Adeke Ann and team who came second thirteen seconds later.  Parliament of Kenya was third.
 
In men’s tug of war, Parliament of Tanzania scooped 6 points after recording 2 pulls to nil in similar score over Kenya and Uganda respectively. Parliament of Uganda scooped 3 points after stopping Parliament of Kenya 2-0.  In the women’s category, Parliament of Kenya and Parliament of Uganda all scored 4 points after a win and draw a piece to set themselves for a re-match to determine the champions. Parliament of Kenya ensured 2 pulls to zero over Parliament of Kenya before settling to a 1-1 pull with Parliament of Uganda.   In the subsequent match, Parliament of Uganda walloped Parliament of Tanzania 2-0.
 
Earlier on, the ten-day extravaganza was preceded by a Pre-Tournament Conference opened by the Speaker of Parliament of Tanzania, Rt Hon Job Ndugai. The Speaker reiterated the importance of holding the annual Games, saying it enhanced inclusiveness and bonding.   He remarked that as hosts, the United Republic of Tanzania was committed to ensuring all Partner States benefit from the games and enhance the relationships with the citizens.
 
Others who addressed the meeting were the President of the Senate of Burundi, Rt. Hon Revering Ndikuriyo, Hon Moses Cheboi, Deputy Speaker of the Kenya National Assembly and the Leader of Official Opposition (LOP) in the Parliament of Uganda, Hon Winnie Kiiza. Further presentations were made by former Members of EALA, Rt Hon Pierre Celestin Rwigema on Discipline and Etiquette, Hon Chris Opoka on the Milestones of the EAC and by Mr Jeremiah Nyegenye, CBS, on the way forward for the Inter-Parliamentary Games as it heads towards a decade.

For more information, please contact:

Bobi Odiko
Senior Public Relations Officer
East African Legislative Assembly
Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: +255-27-2508240
Fax: +255-27-2503103
Cell: +255-787-870945, +254-733-718036
Email: BOdiko [at] eachq.org
Web: www.eala.org

About the East African Legislative Assembly:

The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) is the Legislative Organ of the Community and has a cardinal function to further EAC objectives, through its Legislative, Representative and Oversight mandate. It was established under Article 9 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community.

Dar to Host 8th Inter-Parliamentary Games

Posted in Press Release

…legislators to momentarily drop debating skills, exhibit athletic prowess and ball juggling

East African Legislative Assembly, Arusha, Tanzania: November 29th 2017:

As the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) Senior Challenge pitting National Soccer teams start in Nairobi, Kenya on December 3, 2017, all roads similarly lead to Dar Es Salaam for the 8th EAC Inter-Parliamentary Games (December 2-11th, 2017). The Games themed: “Integrating Citizens and Strengthening Inter-Parliamentary Relations through Sports”, brings together the National Parliaments of Tanzania, Burundi, Kenya and Uganda. Parliament of Rwanda and the Transitional National Legislative Assembly of South Sudan have sent their apologies while at the regional Assembly (EALA), staff shall participate as a guest team at the ten-day tournament.

The Speaker of the Parliament of Tanzania, Rt Hon Job Ndugai, is expected to officiate at the commencement and flag-off the ten-day extravaganza. The tournament takes place at the Main Stadium and the adjacent Uhuru Stadium in Temeke District as well as at the Jakaya Kikwete Youth Stadium in the City Centre. The tournament is to be preceded by a half-day Pre-Tournament Conference on December 3rd, 2017, to nurture networking and bonding among the legislators.

The tournament shall for the first-time feature a walk-race –a newly introduced sporting discipline. Other disciplines include football, netball, golf, athletics, tug-of-war and volleyball. Athletics will feature races in 100 metres, 200 metres, 400 metres, 800 and 1500 metres respectively for men and women. The 400 x 4 relay is also on the cards.

In football, defending champions, Parliament of Uganda will face stiff competition from the other Parliaments keen to dethrone them. Last December (2016), Parliament of Uganda beat Parliament of Burundi 7-6 in penalties during a scintillating final played at the Mbaraki Sports Ground, Mombasa, to reclaim the trophy. In men’s Volleyball, Parliament of Kenya who are the champs will have to put up a good fight with all Parliaments –going out guns blazing for the title. In women’s volleyball, all Parliaments are expected give themselves a good outing in the absence of the trophy holders, Parliament of Rwanda. Last year, Parliament of Rwanda were declared champions after beating Parliament of Kenya 2 sets to 0 (25-19 and 25-19). In Netball, Parliament of Uganda is expected to renew rivalry with the Parliament of Tanzania. Last year in Mombasa, Parliament of Uganda beat Parliament of Tanzania 38-29 to retain the title for a second year running. The third place went to Parliament of Burundi who beat EALA 30-19.

In Athletics, Parliament of Uganda were declared the best overall team after capturing gold in a majority of the races. Parliament of Uganda also took the Tug-of-War titles in both the men and women’s categories while Parliament of Kenya bagged the golf trophy. On its part, Parliament of Burundi was feted as the most disciplined team in the entire tournament.

The EAC Inter-Parliamentary Games is a key aspect building on relations between the EALA and the National Parliaments in the EAC region. The Games are held annually and on a rotational mode in the Partner States. Article 119 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community obliges the Partner States to promote close co-operation amongst themselves in culture and sports, with respect to the promotion and enhancement of diverse sports activities among other areas.

- ENDS -

For more information, please contact:

Bobi Odiko
Senior Public Relations Officer
East African Legislative Assembly
Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: +255-27-2508240
Fax: +255-27-2503103
Cell: +255-787-870945, +254-733-718036
Email: BOdiko [at] eachq.org
Web: www.eala.org

About the East African Legislative Assembly:

The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) is the Legislative Organ of the Community and has a cardinal function to further EAC objectives, through its Legislative, Representative and Oversight mandate. It was established under Article 9 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community.