Tanzania has once again been chosen to host the East African Community (EAC) Military Games and Cultural Events 2014 set for August 18-31.
The Military Games and Cultural Events 2014 Preparation Committee Chairman, Brigadier General Cyril Mhaiki, told journalists in Dar es Salaam that the event will be held in Zanzibar for the second time. Zanzibar first hosted the Games in 2007.
He noted that the main objective of the competitions is to consolidate unity among EAC militaries. “Our main aim is to bring together East African soldiers, consolidate unity among our member countries. That’s why the theme of the EAC Military Games is ‘One people one destiny’,” Mhaiki said.
He added that through the Games they will be able to identify talents existing in the military so that they can be groomed to serve their respective national teams.
“We expect that through these Games, we will generate sport talents which will be used to bolster national teams and yield good results when they participate in different competitions,” he said.
He continued: “Through the EAC Military Games and Cultural Events, members will continue to intermingle and understand their neighbours’ cultures.”
Mhaiki said Tanzania, through the Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF), has maintained a good performance in the Games and has been dominant in netball.
“TPDF netball team has all along been crowned champions since the Games were established in 2005 and I assure you Tanzania teams will put up the best performance this year,” he noted.
He further called on all Tanzanians, especially those in Zanzibar, to turn up in big numbers to enjoy and cheer up talents that are abundant in military teams.
EAC Military Games and Cultural Events take place every year. Last year they were held in Nairobi where hosts Kenya emerged overall champion while Tanzania were crowned netball queens.
By FRANK KIMARO, Tanzania Daily News