The Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF) netball team successfully defended their title after defeating Uganda 36-30 in the on-going East African Community (EAC) Military Games and Cultural Event at JKU Saateni grounds on Wednesday.
The TPDF ladies were unstoppable from the tournament’s throw off, winning almost all their matches. They defeated Burundi (113- 10), Rwanda (95-10) and Kenya (33-25). Prior to winning their last match, the host ladies were sharing a six-point mark with skilful Ugandan ladies. However, the former enjoyed better goals for (241) against the latter (154).
This ensured a down to wire final encounter between the two teams to decide the ultimate winner. This is the fourth time TPDF ladies are crowned champions. Last year they beat Uganda 38- 32 to lift the title in Nairobi, Kenya.
TPDF goals were scored by Mwanaidi Hassan (GS) and Faraja Malaki (GA) who tormented their opponents almost at will. Hassan scored all goals for Tanzania. Uganda goals were netted by Makuru Annet (GS), who posted 18, while Allupo Caro (GS) scored 12 goals. The third slot went to Kenya who beat Rwanda 75- 5. Burundi and Rwanda have yet to register any point.
In men’s basketball, Uganda’s UPDF defeated TPDF 59-54, while Kenya thrashed Rwanda 59-34. In handball, TPDF clobbered Rwanda 29-19, while Kenya beat Burundi 31-29.
The eighth edition of the event enters its tenth day today with all the five Partner States armed forces teams sweating it without any predictable outright winners in all four events — football, netball, basketball and handball.
The competitions are characterized by stiff challenges from all teams and the players have vividly demonstrated full preparations for the Games by displaying some great talents and skills.
The Games will climax on Friday, according to a press statement from the EAC Secretariat. In the 12km men’s crosscountry at the weekend, Tanzania’s Ismail Juma shattered Kenya’s dominance in athletics by winning in 36:49.33, followed by Kenya’s Kiplimo Kimtai (37:12:06) and Muhitira Felician from Rwanda in 37:20:17.
However, Kenya women soldiers proved their prowess in the eight-kilometre race by grabbing all three top positions. Pening Nenkamp led the pack in 28:31:55, followed by Agnes Jesang and Fridah Mwibali 28:55:08.
By MWAJUMA JUMA, EANA