…They did us proud, legislators say as Assembly adjourns
East African Legislative Assembly, Arusha, Tanzania: 1 September, 2016: Kenya’s “King” David Rudisha, 800 metres ace, Javelin champion, Julius “ Mr You Tube Man” Yego and his compatriots as well as Burundi’s 800 metres women’s track star, Francine Niyonsaba, were feted in the regional Assembly for their exemplary performance at the recently ended Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Late yesterday, EALA passed a Resolution as it adjourned its Sitting sine die, congratulating African and especially, East African Medal Winners in the Olympic games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in August 2016.
The motion for the Resolution was presented to the House by Hon Chis Opoka on behalf of the mover, Hon Saoli Ole Nkanae.
According to the mover, several gallant sons and daughters of Africa participated in the Olympics bringing honour and pride to the continent: They include Van Niekerk-400 Metres (South Africa), Boniface Mucheru -400 Metres (Kenya), Caster Semenya-800 Metres -Women (South Africa), Francine Niyonsaba – 800 Metres Women (Burundi), David Rudisha- 800 Metres Kenya), Faith Kipiyego– 1500 Metres Women (Kenya), Dibaba- 1500 Metres, Women (Ethiopia), Conseslus Kipruto-3000 Men (Kenya), Taofiq Makhloufu- 1500 Metres Men (Algeria), Vivian Cheruiyiot – 5000 Metres Women (Kenya), Jemima Sumgong- Marathon/Women (Kenya), Eliud Kipchoge – Marathon/Men (Kenya), and Feyisa Lilesa – Marathon /Men (Ethiopia).
However, the Resolution specifically lauds the East African athletes including, Faith Kipiyego who bagged gold in the 1500 Metres, women, Conseslus Kipruto, another Gold winner in 3000 Metres, and Vivian Cheruiyot, who also won the coveted medal in 5000 Metres, Women. Others are Marathon gold winner for Women, Jemima Sumgong, Eliud Kipchoge, gold (Marathon/Men) and Boniface Mucheru who won silver in the 400Metres, final).
Hon Joseph Kiangoi said the accolades brought to fore the fact that Africa is a continent of achievers.
“The continent’s talent is now been recognised, Mr Speaker,” he said, adding that western nations and other countries continued to lure African sports men and women to consider becoming their nationals.
He called for the need of development of high quality training grounds in high attitude areas to ensure east Africans are well trained. “We also need sports academies in place,” the legislator said.
The MP paid special tribute to the late Isaiah Kiplagat, President of Athletics Kenya. “He made sports and specifically athletics in Kenya what it is today”, Hon Kiangoi added. The late Kiplagat who died on February 24th August, 2016, is to be interred in Kapsaret on Friday, September 2, 2016.
Hon Emerence Bucumi said the region was proud to see athletes from the region’s soil win the various disciplines. Hon Bucumi alluded to Article 119 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC on the promotion of culture and sports and urged the Secretariat to put in place a mechanism to support development of sports.
Hon Dora Byamukama called for promotion of women in sports. “It is unfortunate that as they come of child bearing age, the sports women fizzle out”, Hon Byamukama said.
She appealed for stakeholder support for the budding sportspersons. “Let us also provide sports scholarships for those who excel in sports” she said.
Hon AbuBakr Ogle said the performance of Kenyan athletes was consistent but added that the talent was abundant in the entire region.
Also rising in support of the Motion was Hon Chris Opoka, Hon Peter Mathuki, Hon Frederic Ngenzebuhoro.
EALA is cognisant of the fact that Partner States take a strong stand on enhancing the identification and development of diverse sports talent, promotion of patriotism, citizens’ wellbeing and productivity.
At the Rio games held in Brazil in August 2016, the Republic of Kenya emerged 2nd overall in the sporting discipline with 13 medals (6 gold, 6 silver and 1 bronze) while South Africa was 5th with 4 medals (2 gold and 2 silver). Ethiopia was 9th with 8 medals (1 gold, 2 silver and 5 bronze), Algeria 21st with 2 medals (2 silver). Republic of Burundi was the 24th with 1 silver medal in the Games.
-Ends-
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For more Information, contact:
Bobi Odiko, Senior Public Relations Officer,
East African Legislative Assembly,
Tel: +255-27-2508240, Cell: +255 787 870945+254-733-718036;
Email: bodiko@eachq.org,
Arusha, Tanzania,
www.eala.org
