MOMBASA, KENYA: Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa has emphasized that sports can play a pivotal role in advancing the East African Community (EAC) integration process.
Tayebwa highlighted that sports serve as a powerful tool in bringing together Members of Parliament from the eight partner states in the EAC, helping them work towards the common goal of deepening, widening, and tightening the integration process.
“Sports is very important because many members in the region do not know each other, yet they are supposed to pass laws that are crucial for integration. Through sports, we are now much closer at the people’s representative level,” he stated.
Tayebwa made these remarks ahead of leading Team Uganda in the golf tournament at the 14th EAC Inter-Parliamentary Games on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at the Nyali Golf and Country Club in Mombasa, Kenya. He also expressed his appreciation for the Kenyan President, William Ruto, who officiated the opening of the EAC Games in Mombasa, calling it a sign of strong commitment from the region’s leaders.
“I hope the executives will take it from here. It means a lot for the integration process, and we are ready to support and market it, while also listening to the challenges faced by each country, particularly from the perspective of representatives, to build on parliamentary democracy,” Tayebwa said.
In addition to the integration benefits, Tayebwa shared his views on the health advantages of sports. “What we are doing is saving many members from seeking treatment for non-communicable diseases. They have had over three months of exercise in preparation for these games,” he noted.
Tayebwa expressed confidence in Team Uganda’s performance, stating that he was impressed with their overall preparation. “We expect Uganda to retain the overall championship title, which we won in Kigali, Rwanda. I anticipate the team will win all the key prizes in the golf competition,” he added.
So far, Uganda has had a strong showing in the games. In football, Uganda defeated Kenya 3-1, while Tanzania drew 1-1 with Burundi. In basketball, the Uganda men’s team triumphed over Burundi 50-36, and the women’s team beat Kenya 66-13.
In netball, Uganda’s women’s team defeated Kenya 3-1, while the men’s team lost to Kenya by the same score. In track and field, Uganda dominated the 100-meter races for both men and women, secured victory in the men’s 1500 meters, and placed second in the women’s 1500 meters.
The games, which began on December 6, 2024, will run until December 18, 2024.
