EA Defence Forces to hold 10th edition of Military Games and Cultural event in Kigali, Rwanda
The Defence Forces of the EAC Partner States (Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania) will hold the 10th Edition of the East African Military Games and Cultural Event from 5th to 18th August 2016 at the Amahoro National Stadium in Kigali, Rwanda.
The event, themed One People, One Destiny through EAC Military Games and Cultural Event 2016, will involve over 500 participants representing the various services of the Defence Forces of the EAC Partner States.
The games will involve the disciplines of Athletics (Cross-country Race), Boxing, Football, Netball and Handball. The event is expected to have high profile participation intended not only to popularize it but also to raise the sporting competitive levels thereby contributing to the highest standards within the East African region commensurate with international standards.
Commenting ahead of the games, the Secretary General of the East African Community, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko noted that the EAC Military Games and Cultural activities have great significance beyond building confidence among the Defence Forces of the Partner States. “It bears a great symbolic significance having regard to the broader goals and vision of a competitive, prosperous and united East Africa", adding that “when our common citizens watch these Events and perceive that our Defence Forces are working together and engage in friendly activities that project mutual trust and confidence, they inevitably garner higher levels of confidence in the East African Community project at both economic and political dimensions".
The Partner States are holding the annual Games and Cultural Event within the framework of the East African Community Protocol on Cooperation in Defence Matters which has specific provisions for Sports and Cultural cooperation as well as Joint Military Exercises, among other joint activities intended to build confidence and esprit de corps among the Defence Forces.
In light of the success which has been registered over the last 9 Editions of the Games, the EAC Secretariat is desirous to have the profile of the EAC Military Games and Cultural Event raised from being a local event to being an internationally recognized event by World bodies governing Military Sports namely; International Military Sports Council (CISM) and The Organization of Military Sports in Africa (OSMA).