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EAC Secretary General launches 4th Edition of the Great African Cycling Safari

East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 07th July, 2021: The EAC Secretary General, Hon. Dr. Peter Mathuki, has commended a team of cycling enthusiasts in the region for their commitment to the EAC integration process and their desire to spread the EAC gospel across the region as they prepare to embark on the 55-day, 6,000km long Great African Cycling Safari.

“The East African Community is for the people of East Africa, and I salute you, our brave cyclists for your commitment and desire to take the East African Community to the people, through this cycling safari,” said Dr. Mathuki.

The Secretary General was speaking during the official launch of the 4th Great African Cycling Safari, at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, earlier today.

Dr. Mathuki said that the Great African Cycling Safari was a worthy cause that should be supported by all Partner States, adding that it presents a unique opportunity for the integration not only in the region but in Africa as a whole, unified by the power of sports.

“This is the greatest cycling event in the world, the world-renowned Tour de France is a 10-day, 3,000 kilometre event. We must therefore take pride that our youth have come up with this initiative,” said the Secretary General.

The Secretary General said that the cyclists aim to create awareness around the integration process by sensitizing communities resident along the bike tour as they interact with them.

“This is of importance to the EAC because you are taking the integration process to the people who are its actual owners,” he said.

Speaking at the same event, the East African Business Council (EABC) Executive Director/CEO, Mr. John Bosco Kalisa commended the cyclists for their efforts in promoting a spirit of East Africanness, one that was built on unity, peace, and collective development. 

Mr. Kalisa reaffirmed EABC’s commitment to partner and support the event by engaging EABC members and business leaders to join in the cycling segments, offer sponsorships, as well as in-kind donations as part of the private sector’s corporate social responsibility.

The Chairman of the Great African Cycling Safari, Mr. Francis Munywoki, said that the 2021 edition of the Safari being held under the theme “Green Africa: Experience Africa, Integrate Humanity” is also meant to create awareness on the various aspects of climate change.

“We are embarking on a journey to not only create awareness on the EAC integration agenda and the climate change challenges on the region, but to also do something to actually fix these challenges,” said Mr. Munywoki.

“There will be opportunities to plants tress, we already have 1,000 trees that have been donated by a partner, which we shall plant in Tanzania before we set off to Kenya,” he added. 

Mr. Munywoki said that the Great African Cycling Safari presents an opportunity to re-write the African story.

Logfire Camps Executive and Expedition Director, Mr. John Bosco Balongo said that this year’s safari was an adventure and an opportunity for cycling enthusiasts to enjoy a sport they love and see the beauty East Africa has to offer. 

“We expect this to be the biggest of the other three we have hosted in the past and are looking forward to growing this event to be a recognised international competitive event,” said Mr. Balongo. 

During the border crossings of the Safari, the EAC together with EABC shall organize Public-Private Dialogues with Trade Facilitation Agencies at the EAC One-Stop Borders Posts as a platform to deliberate on challenges and strategies to better facilitate trade.

Over the last four years, the Great African Cycling Safari has successfully staged progressive cycling tours through all East African capitals under the banner of East African Bicycle Tour also known as Tour d’EAC. 

These tours have brought together local and international biking enthusiasts from all walks of life to experience the unique terrain and exotic culture, create awareness and promote the integration of East Africans and Africans in general. 

This year’s event is envisaged to be the biggest cycling event in the world. It will officially kick off on 1st August, 2021 for a period of 55 days and come to a close at the EAC Headquarters on 25th September, 2021. 

More than 1,000 participants from Africa, Europe, North America and Asia will cover 6,000 kilometers, traversing through five East African capitals, one city at a time. This year’s tour will start in Dar es Salaam in the United Republic of Tanzania and pass-through Nairobi, Kampala, Kigali, Bujumbura, Dodoma and terminate in Arusha on the foot hills of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest mountain. 

Participants can register for the event online, https://eactour.bike for US$25 for East Africans and US$ 500 for Non-East Africans for the entire tour. Cyclists have the choice of choosing a segment of any length they would like to join. 

For more information, please contact:

Simon Peter Owaka
Senior Public Relations Officer
Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department
EAC Secretariat
Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: +255 768 552087
Email: sowaka [at] eachq.org

About the East African Community Secretariat:

The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of six Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.

The EAC Secretariat is ISO 9001: 2015 Certified

15 Cyclists on EAC Bicycle Tour flagged off in Arusha

East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 13th August, 2019: A group of 15 cyclists who are participating in the 3rd East African Community Bicycle Tour (Tour d’EAC) were today flagged off at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.

Flagging off the group of volunteer cyclists, the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Planning and Infrastructure, Eng. Steven Mlote, hailed the cyclists for their efforts in complementing initiatives by the Secretariat to create awareness on the integration process.

Eng. Mlote noted that it was encouraging that the annual initiative which started with cyclists from Uganda only in 2016, had now expanded to include cyclists from Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania.

He urged the cyclists to mobilize more youth in the region to appreciate the importance of regional integration as a way of empowering East Africans and making East Africa united and stronger.

The Deputy Secretary General said that the movement of the cyclists across the region had been made possible by the free of movement of persons as enshrined in the EAC Common Market Protocol.

Eng. Mlote assured East Africans that the Community was growing stronger with each passing day, adding that it had recorded many achievements which were gradually beginning to trickle down to ordinary East Africans.

In her remarks, Ms Joyce Kevin Abalo from the GIZ Office at the EAC Headquarters, assured the cyclists that the German Technical Cooperation would continue working closely with the EAC Secretariat to ensure that the event was a success.

Ms Abalo urged the cyclists to endeavour to complete the journey noting that success can only be attained through discipline and perseverance.

Speaking at the event, the Coordinator of the Tour D’EAC, Mr John Balongo, requested the EAC Secretariat to include the tour in its Calendar of Activities in the future.

“We also want to request that in future events, all ministries support individual cyclists from their respective countries,” said Balongo, adding that the group’s aim was to educate EAC citizens on the importance of a united East Africa.

“We seek to stir up interest of groups and individuals in the understanding of the land, and people of East Africa. Subsequently, this results into growing personal and group relationships across the region multiplying out into travel, trade and many other beneficial linkages,” he said.

Also present at the event was the EAC Director General, Customs and Trade, Mr Kenneth Bagamuhunda.

The 3rd Tour d’EAC was flagged off on 1st August, 2019 at the Independence Monument in Kampala by Uganda’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for EAC Affairs, Hon. Dr Ali Kirunda Kivejinja, and the Tanzanian High Commissioner to Uganda, H.E. Aziz Ponary Mlima. The cyclists arrived in Nairobi on the evening of Wednesday, 7th August, 2019 where they were hosted by the Ministry of EAC and Regional Development in Kenya one day later. 

NOTES TO EDITORS:

The Tour d’EAC 2019 is expected to cover 4,300 km around East Africa over a period of 50 days. The aim of the Annual East African Bicycle Tour is to promote the spirit of East Africanness among the people of East Africa, the tourism and business potential of the Community while enhancing awareness about the social and cultural peculiarities of people and places in the EAC.

The ultimate goal of the initiative is to bring the citizens of East Africa to own the integration process as enshrined in the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC. The tour is also one of the activities to mark the Community’s 20th Anniversary.

- ENDS -

For more information, please contact:

Mr Owora Richard Othieno
Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department
EAC Secretariat
Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: +255 784 835021
Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org

About the East African Community Secretariat:

The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of six Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudna, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.

The EAC Secretariat is ISO 9001: 2008 Certified

East African Bicycle Tour 2019 set for 1st August to 20th September 2019

East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, 12th June, 2019: The 3rd East African Bicycle Tour (Tour d’EAC 2019) themed “Integrate or Perish” is set for 1st August to 20th September 2019, with over 100 cyclists taking on an epic route of over 4,300 km around East Africa over a course of 50 days.

According to the Team Leader and Director of Campfire Logs Guild of Uganda, the lead organizer of the Bicycle Tour, Mr. John Bosco Balongo, the 3rd East African Bicycle Tour will be flagged off on 1st August 2019 at the Independence Monument in Kampala, Uganda by the 2nd Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of East African Community Affairs of the Republic of Uganda, Rt. Hon. Dr. A. M. Kirunda Kivejinja.

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15th Sectoral Council on Education, Science and Technology, Culture and Sports concluded in Arusha

East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania 8th June, 2019: The 15th EAC Sectoral Council on Education, Science and Technology, Culture and Sports Concluded on Friday 7th June 2019 at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.

The 5-day meeting was convened to consider matters related to Education and Training; Culture and Sports; the East African Kiswahili Commission (EAKC); the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA); and the East African Science and Technology Commission (EASTECO).

Chairing the meeting, Mr. Samuel Mulindwa, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Republic of Rwanda pointed out the important role of Education, Science and Technology and Innovation in the development of the East African Region.

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Preparations for the 4th Edition of the EAC Arts and Culture Festival (JAMAFEST 2019) Kick off

East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, 13th March, 2019: Preparations for the 4th Edition of the East African Community Arts and Culture Festival, popularly known as Jumuiya ya Africa Mashariki Utamaduni Festival (JAMAFEST), are already in high gear with the 1st meeting of the Regional Steering Committee (RSC) being held from 4th to 8th March, 2019 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

The 1st meeting of the Regional Steering Committee was chaired by Mr. Nyakana Oswald, the EAC and Eastern Africa Officer in Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, while Mr. Gwamaka Lazarous Mwandwani, the Community Development Officer in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Tanzania was the Rapporteur.

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 9th IPG kicks off, EAC Select Side lose in friendly curtain raiser

East African Legislative Assembly, Bujumbura, Burundi: December1st 2018: The EAC Inter-Parliamentary Games has kicked off in Bujumbura, Burundi.   The highlight of the day was a friendly match pitting an EAC Select Side featuring legislators from the EAC Partner States and Hallelujah FC in a thrilling encounter at the Prince Louis Rwagasore. Hallelujah FC associated with H.E Pierre Nkurunziza, President of the Republic of Burundi, walloped the EAC makeshift side 4-1 with goals from Nsengiyumva Paul (3rd Minute), Saleh Ali Yamutu (12th minute), Nsabimana Jamal (12th Minute) and Muyenga Alex (through a penalty in the 28th Minute).  The EAC’s consolation goal was scored by Hon Dennis Karera (from the Burundi National Assembly).

Earlier on, the Speaker of the Burundi National Assembly, Rt Hon Nyabenda Pascal, officiated at the Pre-Tournament Conference called to nurture networking and bonding among the legislators.

In his remarks, Rt Hon Nyabenda underscored the need for ensuring peace continues to prevail in Burundi and the EAC region.   He said sport was a uniting factor and key in sensitizing members, staff and citizens from all the Partner States on the integration process and progress realised thereof.  He further remarked the Inter-Parliamentary Games had continued to play a key role in uniting East Africans.

To achieve this goal, such games have to be politically neutral in order to break down barriers and hostilities amongst East Africans, whose dream and destiny are to live together in a Community which has no pseudo borders”, Rt Hon Nyabenda said. The Speaker informed the delegations that the EAC was also expected to help the country (Republic of Burundi) organise peaceful, credible and fair elections in two years’ time.

“Moreover, as you certainly are aware, His Excellency Pierre NKURUNZIZA, President of the Republic of Burundi, will not run as a candidate for the 2020 presidential election. Now, what Burundians are expecting from East Africans is to help them organise peaceful, fair, transparent and inclusive elections in 2020”, Rt Hon Nyabenda said.

Hon Susan Nakawuki, Chair of the EALA Joint Planning Committee of the Games reiterated the importance of nurturing sports for integration.

At the same time, such games enhance interaction with the citizenry of the Partner States, promote cohesiveness and enhance our pride as East Africans”, Hon Nakawuki said.  She called for utmost discipline during the 10-day extravaganza.

I am particularly keen on the issue of discipline and etiquette. It would be of paramount importance that the participating teams, players and officials maintain total discipline and that infringement of any of these agreed regulations are effectively handled by the Disciplinary Committee”, Hon Nakawuki said.

EALA Member, Hon Gideon Gatpan presented a paper on the milestones of the EAC realised to date. The IPG which was mooted 9 years ago has over the years realized several successes.  Fundamentally,Parliamentary games are a key aspect of building relations between the EALA and the National Legislatures in the EAC region. The games play a fundamental part in enabling EALA’s interaction with Members of the National Legislatures in the Partner States as envisaged in Article 49 (2a) of the Treaty for the Establishment of EAC.

The tournament disciplines include football, walk-race, netball, golf, athletics, tug-of-war and volleyball. Athletics which takes place at the Stade Olympique (in Nyabugete) will feature races in 100 meters, 200 meters, 400 metres, 800 and 1500 metres respectively for men and women. The 4x 400m relay and the 4x 100m races are also on the cards.

The Games themed: “Accelerating a people-centered EAC by connecting Parliamentarians and citizens through Sports” brings together EALA and the National Legislatures.

On Sunday (December 2),in football, Parliament of Uganda plays Parliament of Tanzania while Parliament of Burundi locks horns with Parliament of Kenya in the next game.  In volleyball, Parliament of Uganda will play Parliament of Tanzania before Parliament of Kenya faces Parliament of Burundi.  In Women’s volleyball, Parliament of Burundi will play defending champions, Parliament of Kenya in the first match as Parliament of Uganda and Parliament of Tanzania later face-off in the second match of the day.

- 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 is the Legislative Organ of the East African Community. Its Membership consists of a total of 62, of whom 54 are elected Members (9 from each Partner State) and eight ex-officio members (the Ministers responsible for EAC Affairs from the Partner States, the Secretary General of the Community and the Counsel to the Community).The East African Legislative Assembly has legislative functions as well as oversight of all East African Community matters.  The enactment of legislation of the Community is put in effect by means of Bills passed by the Assembly and assented to by the Heads of State, and every Bill that has been duly passed and assented to become an Act of the Community and takes precedent over similar legislations in the Partner States.  EALA has to date passed 79 pieces of legislation.

Curtain falls on the inaugural EAC Games in Bujumbura

Burundi bagged the highest Medals while Tanzania trailed

East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, 30th August, 2018: The curtain fell on the inaugural East African Community (EAC) Games 2018 themed Fostering EAC Integration and Peace through Sports, which kicked off on 16th August 2018 in several play grounds within Bujumbura City and at the Gitega Stadium in Burundi, on Wednesday 29th August 2018.

At the end of the 14-day gruelling competition in 12 disciplines, the Republic of Burundi bagged the highest number of medals (10), followed by Uganda (9), then Kenya (8), and Tanzania trailed with (4). The Republics of Rwanda and South Sudan were expected but did not show up for the event. The 12 sporting disciplines were Football (women), Netball (women), Volley Ball (men), Volley Ball (women), Rugby 7s (men), Lawn Tennis (men), Lawn Tennis (w), Boxing (men), Boxing (women), Karate (men) Half Marathon (men), and Half Marathon (women).

Burundi won three (3) Gold medals in Lawn Tennis (w), Boxing (w), and Karate (m); six (6) Silver medals in Football (w), Volley Ball (m), Volley Ball (w), Rugby 7s (m), Lawn Tennis (m), and Boxing (m); and one (1) Bronze medal in Netball (w).

Uganda got five (5) Gold medals in Netball (w), Volley Ball (m), Volley Ball (w), Rugby 7s (m), and Boxing (m); two (2) Silver medals in Boxing (w) and Half Marathon (m); and two (2) Bronze medals in Lawn Tennis (m) and Lawn Tennis (w).

Kenya took home three (3) Gold medals in Lawn Tennis (m), Half Marathon (m), and Half Marathon (w); three (3) Silver medals in Lawn Tennis (w), Karate (M), and Half Marathon (w); and two (2) Bronze medals in Half Marathon (m) and Half Marathon (w).

The United Republic of Tanzania took home only three medals; one (1) Gold medal in Football (w), one (1) Silver medal in Netball (w), and one (1) Bronze medal in Karate (m).

Gracing the closing ceremony was the First Vice President of the Republic of Burundi, H.E. Gaston Sindimwo, who commended the East African Community Secretariat and the Partner States for organizing the Games geared towards enhancing the citizens’ support and popular participation in the integration agenda.

Addressing the same occasion, the Secretary General of the East African Community, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko said hosting and providing a lot of support to the 1st EAC Games in Bujumbura and Gitega was a true demonstration and commitment by the Republic of Burundi to the EAC integration agenda.

He said the 1st ever EAC Games had offered yet another opportunity to the sportsmen and women to have a regional platform to show case the rich and diverse sporting talents the East African region has to offer in the overall context of the integration process.

He noted that the succesful conclusion of the EAC Games was yet another demonstration of the long-standing and now rapidly growing fraternal relations and networking among the ordinary citizenry in the region. “The event affirms our resolve to work together to promote peace, harmony stability and unity in East Africa. This marks the beginning of holding regular EAC Games which demonstrates our resolve as East Africans to move the Integration towards greater levels in widening and deepening the cooperation in all fields of life of our peoples”, affirmed the EAC official.

Ambassador Jean Rigi, the Permanent Secretary who represented the Minister to the Office of the President Responsible for East African Community Affairs noted that the First Edition of the EAC Games had been very significant to many for years to come because it has made it possible for the youth around the Region to come together and acquaint themselves with the realities of the East African Community. “It has also developed a sense of bondage, which is critical for deepening and widening East African Community integration”.

He urged the participants to nurture the ambition and the desire to play better in the 2nd Edition of the Games, with a much deeper sense of integration.

Notes to Editors

EACoG is a Regional Sports initiative that emanates from the decision of the 20th EAC Council of Ministers, which directed the Secretariat to organize and hold Sports Tournaments on regular basis with partnership of private sector, civil society, voluntary organizations/ institutions/individuals and Development Partners

A summary of the Medals and Overall Ranking can be accessed from the EAC Games website: https://www.eac.int/eacog

-ENDS-

For more information, please contact:

Mr Owora Richard Othieno
Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department
EAC Secretariat
Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: +255 784 835021
Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org

About the East African Community Secretariat:

The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania. 

The EAC Secretariat is ISO 9001:2008 Certified

Tanzania Women Netballers thrash Burundi Team

As the 1st EAC Games enters day 4 in Burundi

East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 21st August, 2018: The EAC Games themedFostering EAC Integration and Peace through Sports taking place at various play grounds within Bujumbura City and at Gitega Stadium entered day four (4) with Tanzania Women Netballers thrashing the Burundi team 79 to 14 in a game played at the ENS play ground in Bujumbura, Burundi.

In another thrilling opening home match between Burundi and Uganda played at the Parque play ground in Bujumbura, Uganda beat Burundi 3 sets to 0 in women volleyball. Burundi takes on Uganda in the 1st home match men volley ball on Tuesday 21 August, while in Women Volleyball; Uganda will play Burundi on Friday 24th August in their away match at the same venue.

In Karate match played on Sunday 19 August, Burundi won the 1st Gold medals of the tournament in both the Individual and Team Kata having taken on Kenya and Tanzania at the Dojo Nationale. Karate Individual and Team Kumite (Burundi Kenya and Tanzania) matches are scheduled on 21st and  24th August  respectively at the same venue.

In Boxing, Burundi and Uganda will be on the stage on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th August at the Dojo Nationale.

Burundi, Kenya, Uganda have registered for Lawn Tennis for Men and Women singles and Doubles which are scheduled to be played on Wednesday 22nd August when Burundi will take on Uganda Men Singles, and Kenya will tussle it out with Uganda in Women Singles at the Entente Sportive arena in Bujumbura.

Kenya will take on Uganda in Men Doubles on Friday 24th August, while Burundi will play against Kenya in Women Doubles. On 26th August, Uganda takes on Burundi in women doubles while Kenya takes on Burundi in Men doubles.

In Rugby 7s (Men), Burundi plays Uganda on 25th August at the Tempete Fields in Bujumbura.

Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania registered  Football Women Teams  and  in the opening football encounter played on Monday 20th August 2018 in Gitega town, Tanzania slashed the host Burundi  8 to 1. Tanzania will take on Kenya (W) on Thursday 23rd August and Kenya versus Burundi (W) will be on Saturday 25th August 2018 also at the Gitega Stadium.

Notes to Editors

The 1st Edition of the East African Community Games (EACoG) is being hosted by the Republic of Burundi from 16th to 30th August 2018 in the city of Bujumbura, and in the town of Gitega, under the themeFostering EAC Integration and Peace through Sports. The Games will take the form of all East Africa Games and will include multiple sports disciplines including: Football, Volley Ball,Karate, Boxing, Tennis, Rugby, and Half Marathon to be competed among the Partner States.

EACoG is a Regional Sports initiative that emanates from the decision of the 20th EAC Council of Ministers, which directed the Secretariat to organize and hold Sports Tournaments on regular basis with partnership of private sector, civil society, voluntary organizations/ institutions/individuals and Development Partners.

EAC Games website: https://www.eac.int/eacog;

Inaugural EAC Games kicks off in Bujumbura

East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 17th August, 2018: The 2nd Vice President of the Republic of Burundi, His Excellency Joseph Butore officiated at the kick-off of the 14-day inaugural EAC Games at the Lycee SOS HG in Bujumbura, Burundi.

Addressing Honourable Ministers; Members of Parliament; Members of the Diplomatic Corps; Sports men and women from the Partner States, and the citizens of Bujumbura, who thronged the Play field of SOS HG School, the 2nd Vice President, who represented H.E. Pierre Nkurunziza, reaffirmed the commitment of the Republic of Burundi to the promotion of close cooperation among the Partner States in the field of sports, particularly by promoting and valuing the various sports activities.

H.E Butore informed his audience that sports was a channel for strengthening and safeguarding unity and peace in the development of the world, adding that “Faced with the issues and challenges of the globalized world, the EAC Games are one of the answers to the question of youth employment, who are the majority of the population, and a pathway for their socio-economic integration”.

The 2nd Vice President asserted that the major concern in the region was to strengthen interstate partnership, to build and consolidate synergy, in order to achieve the goals of sustainable development. “We must therefore turn the page of history and build a world united in the spirit of the people, in order to invite them to reject violence, and give a place of choice to the culture of peace in African in general, and in the East African Community in particular”, noted H.E Butore.

At the same occasion, Uganda’s 2nd Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of EAC Affairs and Chairperson of the EAC Council of Ministers, Rt. Hon. Kirunda Kivenjija, disclosed that the Council of Ministers will, in the next 5 years, endeavor to promote and support the development of Sports through public-private sector partnerships. “This will be done in fostering closer collaboration among Partner States to strengthen the sports institutional capacities and establish a conducive regulatory frameworks in the region”. 

He said greater emphasis will be put towards attraction of domestic and foreign investment for construction of sports facilities across the region, development of sports academies for effective tracking and nurturing of talents. He reiterated that the role of Sports in reinforcing the spirit of East African unity and development and galvanizing a passionate, visionary and broad participation among the East African people.

On his part, the Secretary General of the East African Community, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko said the EAC Games being launched for the first time in the region will be conducted every two years on rotational basis in accordance with the Decision of the Council of Ministers.

He disclosed that in this 1st edition, more than 1,000 sports men and women from the EAC Partner States were on the ground and will participate in Football, Volley Ball, Karate, Boxing, Tennis, Rugby, and Half Marathon.

He noted that the EAC Games was providing an opportunity for East Africans to showcase the diverse sporting talents and an avenue for sports talent exchange, learning and celebration. He said the EAC Secretariat’s focus is to make the regional sports event attractive to the public to enable East Africans to move across borders to interact freely within the Community.

Notes to Editors

The 1st Edition of the East African Community Games (EACoG) is being hosted by the Republic of Burundi from 16th to 30th August 2018 in the city of Bujumbura, and in the town of Gitega, under the theme Fostering EAC Integration and Peace through Sports. The Games will take the form of all East Africa Games and will include multiple sports disciplines including: Football, Volley Ball, Karate, Boxing, Tennis, Rugby, and Half Marathon to be competed among the Partner States.

EACoG is a Regional Sports initiative that emanates from the decision of the 20th EAC Council of Ministers, which directed the Secretariat to organize and hold Sports Tournaments on regular basis with partnership of private sector, civil society, voluntary organizations/ institutions/individuals and Development Partners.

EAC Games website: https://www.eac.int/eacog

-ENDS-

For more information, please contact:

Mr Owora Richard Othieno
Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department
EAC Secretariat
Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: +255 784 835021
Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org

About the East African Community Secretariat:

The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania. 

The EAC Secretariat is ISO 9001:2008 Certified

Burundi ready to host the 1st edition of the EAC Games

 106 VIPs, 291 Match officials, 310 Team officials, 1630 Players to participate

East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 12th July 2018: The Republic of Burundi will host the 1st Edition of the East African Community Games (EACoG) from 16th to 30th August 2018 in the city of Bujumbura, and in the towns of Ngozi and Gitega, under the theme Fostering EAC Integration and Peace through Sports.

The Games will take the form of all East Africa Games and will include multiple sports disciplines including: Athletics, Football, Handball, Basketball, Netball, Volleyball, Tennis, Rugby, Judo, Karate, Boxing and Taekwondo to be competed among the 6 Partner States that form the East African Community.

EACoG is a Regional Sports initiative that emanates from the decision of the 20th EAC Council of Ministers, which directed the Secretariat to organize and hold Sports Tournaments on regular basis with partnership of private sector, civil society, voluntary organizations/ institutions/individuals and Development Partners.

This was in recognition of the important role sports play towards reinforcing the spirit of East African unity and development and galvanizing a passionate, visionary and broad participation among the East African people, reflecting the basic principle of a people-centered regional integration.

Commenting on the ongoing preparation for the Games, the EAC Secretary General Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko disclosed that EACoG aims at showcasing the diverse sporting talents and provides a platform for sports talent exchange, learning and celebration.

“This initiative is aimed at providing an opportunity for East Africans to showcase the diversity of sporting talent in the region with particular focus on amateur/upcoming sports men and women with a limited emphasis on the competition”. “We are also aiming at making the event attractive to the public to enable East Africans to move across borders to interact freely within the region”.

The Secretary General also disclosed that the Burundi Government through its Ministry in the Office of the President Responsible for EAC Affairs has already extended invitation to the Partner States to participate in the Games.

According to the EAC Principal Sports and Culture Officer, Mr. Bernard Bakaye Lubega, it is expected that EACoG will attract 106 VIPs, 291 Match officials, 310 Team Officials, and 1,630 players in various disciplines.

Notes to Editors

Article 119 (a) of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community states that: “The Partner States shall promote close co-operation amongst themselves in culture and sports with respect to the promotion and enhancement of diverse Sports activities”.

The overall objective of the EAC games is to foster regional integration and solidarity among the People of East Africa.

Some of the exiting Regional Sport Initiatives Events include:

  1. CECAFA Cup. (GoTv CECAFA Challenge Cup): It has been held 37 times. It is an international football competition consisting of national teams of member nations of the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA). They are Burundi, DjiboutiEritreaEthiopiaKenya, RwandaSomaliaSouth SudanSudanTanzaniaUgandaZanzibar;
  1. EAC Military Games and Culture Event: They have been held seven times on rotational basis in all the EAC Partner States – Under the Memorandum of Understanding on EAC Cooperation in Defense. The games involve the following disciplines; Basketball, Handball, Netball, Soccer and X-Country. The Games are sponsored by EAC Partner States;
  1. EAC Inter-Parliamentary Games: These have been held 5 times on rotational basis since the establishment of EALA. The games involve the following disciplines: Netball and Soccer. They are sponsored by the national Parliaments and the East African Legislative Assembly;
  1. East African Secondary Schools Games: This has been held 13 times on rotational basis since the EAC was re-established. It is organized by the Federation of East African Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSSA). The games are sponsored by the participating secondary schools and private sector;
  1. East African Inter -University Games: These have been held six time since the EAC was re-established. The tournament is sponsored by the participating Universities and the private sector;
  1. East Africa University Female Games: This has been held once so far. The games are organized by East Africa University Sports Federation with support from International University Spots Federation (FISU), through Federation of African University Sports (FASU). Games are aimed at promoting and celebrating women involvement in University Sports (especially those marginalized Sports). The Competition features the following disciplines: Handball, Football, Netball, Tennis and Chess;

  2. East african Netball Championship: Last Event was held in Dar es salaam, Tanzania in 2013. The Tournanent features only Netball;
  1. East Africa Rugby Cup (EARC): This is organized by the East African Rugby Football Union. The Tournanent is for Only Rugby;
  1. East African Rugby Super Cup: This is organized by the East African Rugby Football Union. The Tournanent is for Only Rugby;
  1. East African Cup: This is a ten year old tournament.It is usually held in Moshi;
  1. East Africa Handball Championship: This is organized annually by the East and Central Africa Handall Federation – for men. The games have been held succesfully for 28 years.
  1. East African Cricket Cup;
  1. East African Beach Volleyball Championships;
  1. East African Athletic; and
  1. East Africa Sports for People with Disability

-ENDS-

For more information, please contact:

Mr Owora Richard Othieno
Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department
EAC Secretariat
Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: +255 784 835021
Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org

About the East African Community Secretariat:

The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania. 

The EAC Secretariat is ISO 2008:9001 Certified

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East African Community
EAC Close
Afrika Mashariki Road
P.O. Box 1096
Arusha
United Republic of Tanzania

Tel: +255 (0)27 216 2100
Fax: +255 (0)27 216 2190
Email: eac@eachq.org  |  sgoffice@eachq.org