KDF outgun rivals in EAC Military Games

Ulinzi Stars players celebrate a goal during a past Kenyan Premier League match. PHOTO | SULEIMAN MBATIAH |

What you need to know:

  • Ulinzi reclaim football crown
  • Kenyan forces return home with 10 medals after victories in four out of the five events
  • Kenya excelled in both the men and women’s cross country races, football and handball, which made them winners in four out of the five disciplines in contention.
  • Hosts Rwanda came in second place and Tanzania finished third in the overall rankings in the tournament.

The Kenyan Defence Forces won 10 medals at this year’s edition of the East Africa Military Games that ended on Thursday in Kigali, Rwanda.

The Kenyan military teams won four gold medals, three silver and a similar number of bronze medals, and were subsequently named the overall best team in the 10th edition of the tournament, which brought together four countries.

Kenya excelled in both the men and women’s cross country races, football and handball, which made them winners in four out of the five disciplines in contention. Hosts Rwanda came in second place and Tanzania finished third in the overall rankings in the tournament.

Emmanuel Kipsang clocked 27:15: 68 to win the first gold medal for Kenya in the Cross Country as Sheila Chepkirui (31:17:18), Joyceline Chepkosgei and Judith Chemutai all clinched the podium positions in the women’s category.

In football, Ulinzi Stars beat neighbours Tanzania 1-0 in their final match on Wednesday evening to reclaim the Military Games title they lost last year to Rwanda.

Goalkeeper and team captain James Saruni delivered a commendable performance throughout the tournament, capping it off by saving a penalty to relegate their determined opponents to third place.

In a telephone interview with Daily Nation Sport after the match, Saruni said that he and his teammates were delighted to have won the title, but that all focus now shifts back to the Kenyan Premier League where they are bidding for their first title in six years.

GREAT TEAM

“It feels good to win it (trophy) it again. We lost it painfully last year. Everybody knows that the football trophy is a preserve of Kenyans,” Saruni said. 

“I also thank the KPL management for allowing us time off the league because it has been very refreshing compete against some of the greatest teams from the region.”

The Kenyan soldiers beat hosts and arch-rivals APR 1-0 in their opening match of the tournament, but they suffered a setback in their subsequent match where they went down 2-1 to Tanzania’s People’s Defence Force last Friday.

The 2010 Kenyan champions however bounced back with a 2-0 victory over Uganda’s Simba Army Team in their next match.
Tanzania will host the 11th edition of the games next year.