Zanzibar President Dr Ali Mohamed Shein has said that the East African Community Military Games are vivid testimony of the solidarity of the armed forces in the region.
President Ali Mohamed Shein
Addressing the eighth edition of the EAC Military Games and Cultural Event at the Amaan Stadium on Wednesday, Dr Shein said that co-operation and unity among the region’s armed forces was critical to maintain peace and stability in the EAC Partner States.
“The annual EAC sports and cultural event is clear testimony of the regional brotherhood and solidarity among the armed forces,’’ he said at a colourful opening ceremony which was marked by a march past, traditional dances and music of the five EAC Partner States — Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi.
In his speech read on his behalf by the Zanzibar second Vice- President Iddi Seif, the Isles leader also noted the importance of sports for healthy bodies and encouraged armed forces to actively engage in sports activities. This year’s theme is: “One people, one destiny through EAC Military Games and Cultural Event 2014”.
Dr Shein, however, cautioned on the importance of discipline, adding that it was the cardinal principle in sports science. Defence and National Service Minister Hussein Mwinyi commended the Games Organising Committee for the good preparations of this year’s event.
Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF) Chief Davis Mwamunyange told the large audience that the Games have coincided with the army’s 50th anniversary.
“The EAC event in a way contributes to the joy and excitement of our anniversary celebrations,” the TPDF Chief of Defence Forces added. He reassured TPDF’s commitment to do its best to reinforce its co-operation and friendship with each and all the armed forces of EAC Partner States.
“It is through such close co-operation that our armed forces can be able to build a synergic capacity to effectively and sustainably address security challenges in our region,” stated Mwamunyange.
The EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Political Federation, Charles Njoroge, said the regional economic bloc was making strides in the regional integration and it has already started bearing results.
“There is emerging vibrant middle class in service industry and technology and the future is very bright,” he said. Events featuring at the twoweek Games are football (men), netball, basketball (men), handball (men) and cross-country (men and women).
Source Tanzania Daily News