With all the major leagues in the region now on recess, all roads lead to Arusha for the 5th Inter- Parliamentary Games tournament. The tournament shall be held on December 6th – 12th, 2014, at the Sheikh Abeid Karume Stadium. It brings together all National Assemblies of the Partner States as well as EALA pitting legislators who will put aside oratory skills and dazzle crowds with fine moves on the fields of play.
This year, the organisers, EALA have expanded the sports disciplines to include athletics and tug –of- war, in a move that enhances inclusivity. All teams are expected to field teams in majority of the sports disciplines. In the track and field events, scheduled for December 6th, 2014, immediately after the opening ceremony, Parliamentarians shall take part in the 100 meters dash, 400 meters sprint, 800 meters run and the 1500 meters race, dubbed as the “Parliamentary marathon”.
In football, defending Champions, Parliament of Uganda shall face-off once again with last year’s losing finalists EALA and Burundi National Assembly in Pool A. Parliament of Uganda become the first team last year to win the trophy three times consecutively since inception.
In Pool B, Parliament of Rwanda, Parliament of Tanzania and Kenya National Assembly are expected to square it off in what is billed to be an entertaining yet tough group.
In netball, Pool A features EALA, Burundi National Assembly and Kenya National Assembly while, Pool B comprises of defending champions, Parliament of Tanzania, Parliament of Rwanda and the Parliament of Uganda. Both the football and netball games commence on Sunday.
According to the Chairman of the Joint Planning Committee, Hon Bernard Mulengani, the games are important in so far as ensuring bonding of legislators and bringing out their competitive spirit is concerned.
“The games play a fundamental part in enabling EALA’s interaction with Members of the National Parliaments in the Partner States as envisaged in Article 49 (2a) of the Treaty for the Establishment of EAC”, Hon Mulengani was quoted as saying.
“At the same time, such games enhance interaction with the citizenry of the Partner States and as a mode of sensitization popularizing the Integration process”, he added.
The winners in all categories shall be awarded with trophies and medals.
NOTES TO THE EDITORS
The EAC (EALA) mooted the idea of the liaising with other Parliaments through football in 2001. Then, EALA hosted a special tournament to mark the occasion of its establishment in Arusha, Tanzania.
However, it was not until November 2009 that EALA organised the initial Inter-Parliamentary football tournament in Arusha. EALA has continued to organise the games as the coordinator and works closely with the hosting National Assembly/Parliament to ensure successful tournaments. The EAC Speakers at their 4th Speakers’ Forum held in the same month agreed to have the Inter-Parliamentary games held on an annual and rotational basis.
At the same time, the Speakers’ Forum urged all National Assemblies/Parliaments to have a permanent budget line for the tournament.
The 2nd Inter-Parliamentary Football Tournament was held in Bujumbura, Burundi, on November 22-30th, 2011. The tournament coincided with the 10th Anniversary celebrations of EALA. The opportunity was used to hold other activities in the social, intellectual and political fields as EALA marked its decade of existence.
The week- long event took place at the Prince Louis Rwagasore Stadium in Bujumbura, Burundi.
In November 2012, the Kenya National Assembly hosted the 3rd Inter-Parliamentary Games, 2012 in Nairobi, Kenya. For the first time, netball was also introduced as a sport in the tournament resulting in rebranding of the initiative from the Inter-Parliamentary Football Tournament to the Inter-Parliamentary Games Tournament. The Games were held at the Nyayo National Stadium (football and gymnasium grounds).
Uganda hosted the fourth edition of the Inter-Parliamentary Games, 2013. The tournament was held in Kampala, Uganda, on December 8-15, 2013.
All the Partner States’ Parliaments were represented in the football tournament while three Partner States (Kenya, Uganda and United Republic of Tanzania) took part in the netball tournament. EAC/EALA fielded a team in both games.
The opportunity is also used to hold other activities in the social, intellectual and political arena.
ENDS-
______________________
For more information, contact
Bobi Odiko,
Senior Public Relations Officer,
East African Legislative Assembly.
Tel: +255-27-2508240
Fax: +255-27-2503103,
Cell: +255-787-870945 +254-733-718036
Email: BOdiko@eachq.org,
Web: https://www.eala.org
