AFTER months of preparation, the highly billed East Africa military games are set to go. The showdown starts this Monday with a four-day Military Sports and Culture Week before action proper on Friday.

The competition, which climaxes on June 25, has attracted teams from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Burundi. Being hosts, Rwanda will cover all expenses from accommodation, meals, receptions, and local transportation.

According to Rwanda Defense Force (RDF) spokesman Maj. Jill Rutaremara, the objective of the EAC Sports and Culture Week is to enhance solidarity, comradeship, ‘esprit de corps’ and to build confidence and trust among the Armed Forces of the EAC Partner States.

"The event is also intended to promote sports and physical education, discipline and to enhance the level of competition of the EAC Partner States,” Rutaremara said.

"Furthermore, it promotes discipline and the culture of peace through fair play. The cultural aspect of the event also offers an opportunity for the Partner States’ Armed Forces to share the rich and diverse culture of the people of East Africa as well as the practical reality and understanding of the EAC region.”

"Although all the participants are serving military personnel, one of the objectives is to entertain people. It is also aimed at bringing the military closer to the people. Members of the general public are therefore encouraged to attend.”

The teams will compete in five sporting disciplines; Football, Cross country (men and women), Boxing, Handball and Netball although discussions are underway to widen the scope of sporting disciplines.

Rwanda’s Amahoro and Nyamirambo stadiums together with Amahoro indoor courts will stage the two-week long competition.

Kigali Golf Club will host the cross country event. About 500 hundred participants and officials are expected to grace the competition which is being staged in Rwanda for the first time.

Away from sports, the visiting teams will visit Gisozi and Murambi Genocide memorial sites and Rubavu town in Western province as part of their site seeing.

The games are held in the framework of the EAC Treaty which provides for the development of sports and culture among the people of the East African region. Article 125 of the Treaty provides for cooperation in defence among the EAC Partner States.

The event started in 2005 when the first edition was held in Kampala, Uganda. Other editions have been held in Nairobi/Kenya (2006), in Zanzibar/Tanzania (2007) and in Kampala (June 2008). Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) is the defending champion.

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