Gallant Kenya claim regional crown in military games
Ulinzi Stars coach Robert Matano gives instructions from the touchline during their Tusker premier league match against KRA on August 13, 2014 at Nyayo Stadium. Ulinzi won the football title in the just concluded 2014 East African Community (EAC) Military Games and Cultural Events in Zanzibar. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |
What you need to know:
- Kenya won the football, handball and women’s cross-country titles. In basketball, Kenya finished second behind Uganda while in men’s cross-country, they trailed Tanzania.
- Rwanda’s best performance was in women’s cross-country race through Felician Muhitira who finished third.
ARUSHA
Kenya emerged overall winners of the 2014 East African Community (EAC) Military Games and Cultural Events in Zanzibar on Saturday night.
Kenya won the football, handball and women’s cross-country titles. In basketball, Kenya finished second behind Uganda while in men’s cross-country, they trailed Tanzania.
The hosts retained for the eighth year running the netball crown.
Tanzania finished second in football after a 1-1 draw Uganda on the final closing day. Uganda snatched gold in basketball and runners-up positions in netball and handball.
SOURCE OF PRIDE
Rwanda’s best performance was in women’s cross-country race through Felician Muhitira who finished third. Closing the Games, Tanzania Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda lavished praise on the participants.
“Our (EAC) armed forces will always be a source of pride and inspiration to the region,” he said. He challenged the forces to use the military games as a platform to go beyond the region and feature at continental and international sports’ events.
“This will entrench EAC desires and objectives,” he said.
He commended Partner States security forces for playing positive role in enhancing regional peace and security. “Regional armed forces must remain committed to foster defence co-operation through a number of defence related activities, including the annual joint military exercises and sports and cultural events”.
The PM saluted all participating players for a great sportsmanship, discipline and unity demonstrated throughout the two-week bonanza.
“The solidarity and friendship of our armed forces is a vivid testimony of the East Africa’s vision of one people, one destiny,” he stated.
The EAC deputy secretary general (Political Federation) Charles Njoroge assured of the Secretariat’s commitment to support the EAC Military Games and Cultural Games as part of fulfilling the Treaty’s requirements and objectives.
