Tanzanian PM wants EAC to heighten FEASSA Games

PRIME Minister Kassim Majaliwa (dailynews.co.tz)

PRIME Minister Kassim Majaliwa has suggested the inclusion of the Federation of East African Secondary School Sports Association games in all countries’ respective education curricula and a regional calendar.

“Just as we have realised sports are important components in education, it is important to ensure this event becomes part of daily school activities alongside lessons in class,” he said.

The Premier was speaking in Arusha during the official opening of the Federation of East African Secondary School Sports Association (FEASSSA) games that draws teams from East African Community.

This year’s FEASSSA event has brought together more than 4,000 participants from Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, South-Sudan and the host Tanzania.

Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are the two East African Community member states missing in this year’s event.

According to the Sports Coordinator in the President’s Office, Regional Administration and Local Government, George Mbijima, even Malawi, who were to make maiden entry, pulled out in the last minutes.

PM Majaliwa graced the opening ceremony by addressing participants at Sheikh Amri Abeid Stadium in the Arusha city.

The Regional Secondary School Games started in Arusha from September 14^th this year.

The President of FEASSSA, Justus Mugisha, said more than 4000 students compete in 14 different types of sports, including soccer, badminton, netball and volleyball among other 14 games.

Organisers say the President of International Schools Sports Federation, Laurent Patrica from France, will also be jetting in from Belgium, to witness the games.

There will be a number of sports officials from different countries, some as far as Europe, Morocco and South-Africa.

Side event during its 11 days, includes tourism, cultural activities and city tours.

The venues for the games are Sheikh Amri Abeid Stadium (Athletics as well as Opening and Closing ceremonies) and Saint Constantine (hockey, netball and swimming).

Other games are being staged at ISM (basketball, swimming, rugby and handball), TGT (football and handball), Arusha Meru (basketball and volleyball), Magereza (football), Ngarenaro Complex (football and basketball).

The regional Secondary School games will roll out a total 14 types of sports which are football, handball, lawn tennis and table tennis, rugby, netball, volleyball, swimming, hockey and athletics.