EADB pumps Ksh.11.6 million into East Africa School Games

The East African Development Bank, EADB, has injected Ksh.11.6 million into the 23rd Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association, FEASSA, Games being held in Morogoro, Tanzania.

The regional school games have attracted 413 teams and 5,548 participants competing in 51 sporting disciplines, making the event one of the largest school sports competitions in East Africa.

Speaking during the official opening ceremony, EADB Tanzania Country Manager Stephen Wambura said the bank's support is aimed at investing in young talent and using sport to promote healthy lifestyles, character development and opportunities for young people across the region.

“While our core mandate is financing development projects across key sectors of the economy, we recognize that sustainable development goes beyond infrastructure and enterprises. It also means investing in people, especially young people, who represent the future of our region. It is for this reason that EADB partnered with FEASSA as the title sponsor of the 23rd edition of the games and committed USD 90,000 towards the successful delivery of the tournament,” said Wambura.

“Sports sponsorship is one of the key pillars of our Corporate Social Initiatives (CSI) agenda because we understand the transformative power of sports in shaping character, promoting healthy lifestyles and unlocking opportunities for young people in our region. Through this sponsorship, we are investing not only in the competition, but in the development of the next generation of East African leaders,” he added.

The sponsorship will support the production of medals and trophies, as well as playing kits for teams competing in the finals.

Defending champions Kenya have fielded one of the largest contingents, with 125 teams and 1,704 participants competing in more than 40 disciplines.

Kenya will be looking to retain its overall title won in Kakamega last year, with strong medal hopes in football, volleyball, rugby and basketball.

In football, Kakamega School and St Mary's Yala lead the boys' charge, while St Joseph's Girls Kitale and Nyakach Girls will carry Kenya's hopes in the girls' competition.

Kenya will also be represented by national volleyball champions Kesogon Girls, alongside Soweto Academy and Mwitoti Secondary School, while Chesamis Boys, Matiliku Secondary School and Chepsaita Secondary School lead the boys' campaign.

In rugby, Kisii School, Upper Hill School and St Mary's Yala will compete in the boys' 15s, while Butula Boys, Cardinal Otunga Mosocho and Bokoli Boys feature in the sevens competition.

The basketball campaign will see Lukenya School and Friends School Kamusinga compete in the boys' 5x5 category, with Kaya Tiwi and Butere Girls representing Kenya in the girls' competition.

The games conclude on August 22, with Kenya aiming to retain the overall championship against strong regional competition from Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi.