I commend the Federation for East Africa University Sports for the initiative. Its an avenue for exploiting, identifying, and nurturing talent. It also provides avenue for exposing the athletes to gain international experience, The First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of East African Community, Dr. Rebecca Kadaga has commended the importance of East Africa University Games towards fostering unity and cooperation among the countries.
She made the remarks while opening the five-day East African Games today at the Luwero based Ndejje University Main Campus.
Ndejje University are the hosts of the 12th edition of the regional event that has attracted a total of 2300 participants from 28 universities – 17 from Uganda, Kenya (8) and Tanzania (2). The Games run from December 16 to December 2022 at the Main Campus.
“I commend the Federation for East Africa University Sports for the initiative. Its an avenue for exploiting, identifying, and nurturing talent. It also provides avenue for exposing the athletes to gain international experience,” Dr. Kadaga said.
She hailed the participating universities and Ndejje University for providing a holistic education to the students by grooming and nurturing them for international engagements and boosting health.
“I have observed and learnt that Ndejje University has prioritized the holistic development of the youth through promoting sports skills development alongside academics. This has given opportunity to all capable young people to grow their sports talent, said Kadaga who doubles as Minister for East Africa Community.
Ndejje University is the leading sports powerhouse in Uganda and reigning National, East Africa University Games Sports Champion and deputy Africa University Games Champion. President of the Federation for Easter Africa University Sports, Dr. Simon Munai requested the Ugandan Minster for East Africa, Dr. Rebecca Kadaga to assist in mobilizing East Africa countries to contribute towards FEAUS financial obligations.
He said the Games were good for EALA which can build a symbiotic relationship with FEAUS to take advantage of these Games that would lead to the achievement of objectives of EALA “Given the adaptability and curiousity of youth, they are the best suited to start internalizing the objectives of EALA which will lead to a generation that will understand East Africa as one,” the president said.
Ndejje University Vice Chancellor, Prof Eriabu Lugujjo said it was a great honor for the university to host the 12 th edition of the Games which was the apex of the University’s celebrations of 30 yrars of existence this year.
He told the guests that the available facilities being used in the Games comprise just part of a Masterplan of a government funded project to upgrade Ndejje University sports facilities to international level.
Because of the post Covid 19 challenges and some delay in shipment of materials still in Mombasa Port for the synthetic tartan athletics facility, construction will continue after the Games.
“I am happy to inform you that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development has undertaken to clear taxes for the construction materials still lying in Mombasa,” Vice Chancellor reported. The Covid-19 challenges and some delay in shipment of materials, the Games haven’t been possible to use them.
