Dar to host 8th Inter-Parliamentary Games

East African Legislative Assembly, Arusha, Tanzania: November 29^th 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 8^th EAC Inter-Parliamentary Games (December 2-11^th, 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 3^rd, 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.

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