KDF set out to complete EAC title defence mission

The Kenya Defence Forces will send a strong contingent comprising 121 sportspersons and officials to Bujumbura where they will be gunning to defend their East Africa Community (EAC) Military Games title.

The Burundian capital will host teams from Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania Uganda as well as their home team where they will battle for supremacies across multiple disciplines including football, handball and netball.

It marks the second time Burundi will be hosting the EAC military games and culture events since its admission to the regional bloc with Kenya seeking to emerge top of the pile for a second straight year.

Kenya won last year’s edition held in Rwanda after clinching four gold, one silver and a bronze medal. The hosts finished second while Tanzania was third.

Four-time Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions Ulinzi Stars edged this year’s hosts Burundi in last year’s final and will be seeking to retain their title in Bujumbura.

Ulinzi will depart after their league clash against Chemelil Sugar on Tuesday, August 22 at the Afraha Stadium.

The team that will represent Kenya at the annual competition was handed the national flag on Friday morning at their Nairobi headquarters by the Vice Chief of the Defence Forces Lieutenant General Joseph Kasaon who was representing the Chief of the Defence Forces, General Samson Mwathethe.

“The East African and Cultural Military Games mark a major event in KDF sports calendar,” Kasaon said relaying General Mwathethe’s speech.

Kenya won gold in the men’s handball, and dominated the men’s and cross country competitions. The men’s basketball team won silver while the women’s netball team bagged bronze.

This year, Kenya will send a women’s volleyball team that will compete at the East African military games for the first time, with the gold winning men’s handball team being replaced following a decision by the competition secretariat to foster affirmative action.

Consequently, Kenya will have a multi-disciplinary squad competing in the cross country for men and women, football, basketball, volleyball and netball.

“KDF recognizes the need for having comprehensive sports development programmes with the aim of producing elite world class sportsmen and women in the major disciplines while evoking the values of mass sports as an integral part of the physical fitness regime,” General Kasaon added.

The annual competition is geared towards enhancing solidarity, promoting cooperation through military sports and culture among Countries in the East African community.

Team Kenya is expected to depart mid next week for the event that will run from August 24 to September 6. Brigadier Daniel Pyaban will be the Chef de Mission.