RWANDA Defence Forces (RDF) team has geared up it’s preparations for this year’s edition of the East African Military game scheduled for August 14-28 in Bujumbura, Burundi.

Rwanda will participate in football, handball, athletics, women, handball, and basketball and netball. The entire delegation totals to 90 personnel.

According the RDF spokesman Col. Joseph Nzamwita, APR football academy side will lead RDF’s glory hunt in football while the APR athletics club, which boasts some of leading athletes in the country, will spice up the show in cross country championship.

"We will have a big contingent in Burundi. Besides sports, our main focus is to continue with the joint operation of peace keeping, disaster management and promoting community work,” added Nzamwita.

Rwanda will send a 22-man football team, 16 women netballers, 16 handball-man team, basketball team (16) and 18 mixed team of boys and girls to feature in the cross country championship.

Over 500 sportsmen and women from the East African Community (EAC) member states are expected to battle it out.

Burundi’s President Pierre Nkurunziza, who is also the chairperson of the EAC Summit, will lead a host of dignitaries at the opening ceremony at the Rwagasore Stadium, in the heart of Bujumbura City.

Ministers of Defence and Chiefs of Defence Forces from the EAC Partner States are also expected to attend the grand opening ceremony.

The Games will feature various disciplines, including: handball (men and women), football (men), netball (women), cross-country marathon (men and women) and basketball (men).

The East African Military Games and Culture Events have been held on a rotational basis since 2005.

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