Mombasa, Kenya – December 6th, 2024 – The 14th Inter-Parliamentary Games (IPG) under the theme “EAC @25, Enhancing Integration through Inter-Parliamentary Games” commenced today with a vibrant and colorful opening ceremony in Mombasa, Kenya. Hosted by the Parliament of Kenya and officially opened by H.E. President William Ruto, the event brings together members of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) and national parliaments from all East African Community (EAC) partner states.
The event kicked off with a pre-tournament conference aimed at building stronger ties between EALA and national legislatures, raising awareness about the EAC integration process, and highlighting the health benefits of sports. The participating teams from partner states' parliaments and hundreds of Mombasa residents began the day with a lively procession from Treasury Square through Mombasa City to Mama Ngina Waterfront.
The pre-tournament conference was graced by H.E. William Samoei Ruto, The President of the Republic of Kenya and the Chair of the East African Community. In attendance were the EAC Secretary General, H. E. Veronica Nduva, The Speaker of EALA, Rt. Hon. Joseph Ntakirutimana, the Speakers of partner states parliaments of the EAC, Kenya cabinet Secretaries , the governors of Mombasa County and Kilifi County respectively.
In his opening remarks, President Ruto reiterated his vision for the EAC rooted in “deeper integration, economic growth, and shared prosperity”. President Ruto highlighted the significance of these games as a “powerful symbol of unity, teamwork, collaboration, positive competitiveness, and shared aspirations”. He also stressed the importance of removing “barriers to trade, expanding regional markets, and enhancing connectivity to unlock immense opportunities”.
The President continued to emphasized that “This year’s games remind us of the values we must continually reaffirm and embrace: resilience, teamwork, unity, dynamism, fair play, and positive competition. These same principles are central to our efforts to strengthen regional integration.
Through initiatives to harmonize policies, expand infrastructure networks, and enhance crossborder trade, we are building a more competitive and inclusive East Africa”.
In his welcoming remarks, the Governor of Mombasa, H.E Abdullswamad Sheriff Nassir welcomed the participating teams to the great city of Mombasa and emphasized the importance of the IPG in promoting regional integration and unity.
The Speaker of EALA, Rt.Hon. Joseph Ntakirutimana expressed his gratitude to the Parliament of Kenya and the Kenyan government for hosting the games and urged the participants to enjoy the beautiful city of Mombasa.
The day concluded with a curtain-raiser football match, where the combined football team of the Parliament of Uganda and EALA defeated the County Assembly of Mombasa team 2-1.
The IPG, organized annually by EALA and hosted on a rotational basis, plays a pivotal role in fostering interaction between EALA members, national parliamentarians and citizens of East Africa. This year's games, running from December 6th to 18th, 2024, will include diverse sports disciplines such as football, netball, athletics, tug-of-war, volleyball, walk races, golf, basketball, and darts. The games will start in earnest tomorrow morning, the 7th December, 2024.
The event is organized by EALA and co-sponsored by the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), County Government of Mombasa, Aga Khan Academy, Kenya Commercial Bank, Cooperative Bank of Kenya, Mchezo Ltd, and East African Breweries Ltd.
The EAC-IPG was established by a resolution of the 4th EAC Bureau of Speakers held in 2009, aiming to build relations between the East African Community Legislative Assembly (EALA) and the Parliaments of the East African Community region.
For further information, please contact:
Nicodemus Ajak Bior
Senior Public Relations Officer (SPRO)
East Africa Legislative Assembly
Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: +255-768-885-633/, +254729157207(WhatsApp)
Email: nbior@eachq.org
Web: www.eala.org
.JPG)
.JPG)
