EABL commits US$400,000

EAST African Breweries Limited (EABL) has committed $400,000 (about Rwf242m) for this year’s Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup set to be held in Kampala from November 27 to December 12.

Friday, August 17, 2012
Amavubi Stars captain Olivier Karekezi (L) and playmaker Haruna Niyonzima (R) will be hoping to lead Rwanda to the senior challenge cup title, which they have won once in 1999 when it was held in Kigali. The New Times/File.

EAST African Breweries Limited (EABL) has committed $400,000 (about Rwf242m) for this year’s Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup set to be held in Kampala from November 27 to December 12.According to Cecafa Secretary General Nicholas Musonye, the money will help airlift teams and officials to Kampala, accommodate them, cover local transport and prize money which is $30,000 for the winners, $20,000 for the runners up and $10,000 for the third placed team.Meanwhile, Cecafa has got another boost after United Against Malaria (UAM) which agreed to support the tournament."We are happy UAM has agreed to partner with us not only for the tournament but also to continue their fight against Malaria in the region,” said Musonye.Cecafa President Leodegar Tenga hailed the role the anti-malaria crusaders were playing in a bid to meet the United Nations target of eradicating malaria by 2015.Tenga said it is the duty of football family to support the initiative because, "football operates in society that is most affected by the deadly disease”."Our success on the football field has been severely held back by malaria as it has also impacted on us, our families and our friends. We must undertake the responsibility of educating the public on the dangers of Malaria,” said the Tanzania Football Federation chairman.UAM got a boost this year when they were given the recognition and the green light by CAF to operate in all their member federation.UAM has been partners with Cecafa since its formation in 2009 and will join main sponsors – East African Breweries – for this year’s Senior Challenge CupSouth Sudan will make its international debut at this year’s East and Central African regional championship.