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| An action-packed moment during the EA Military Games Netball match between Tanzania (in green) and Uganda in Bujumbura on Friday. Tanzania retained the cup for the sixth time after defeating Uganda 55-33 in the last match. (Picture by a Correspondent). |
By Dennis Bizimana
East African News Agency
Tanzania maintained their unbeaten streak to retain the East African Community (EAC) Military Games Netball Tournament after defeating hard-fighting |and close rivals Uganda 55-33 in a thrilling last match here on Saturday.
Tanzania led by towering sportswoman of the year Mwanaidi Hassan, displayed brilliant skills and accurate passes to succumb the Ugandans, who were the first to take an early lead but which was short lived. Tanzania bounced back shortly and took command of the first quarter by 14-8.
The high-tension match was briefly halted in the second quarter when Ugandans protested that umpires from Kenya and Burundi were biased.
Uganda’s attacking duo of Annet Nakiwu and Carol Aiupo came out aggressively on resumption but their efforts were thwarted by Tanzania’s powerful midfield and defence.
Tanzania stretched further their lead in the third quarter to 39-25 a Ugandans tried in vain to narrow the gap.
Tanzania began their title defence in a style after crushing hosts Burundi 96-75 on August 17.
The next day they hammered Rwanda 105- 18 and swallowed Kenya in a closely contested match 43-38 last Wednesday. ‘’I’m extremely delighted that we have retained the cup for the sixth time in succession. We were confident that we’re the best,’’ said coach Grace Peter moments after the final whistle was blown.
Tanzania’s Defence Liaison Officer at the EAC Secretariat, Col. Michael Luwongo, was also full of praise for the netballers for having demonstrated discipline and skills to retain the championship. ‘’They have made us all very proud,’’ he added. Tanzania has been winning the title since 2005 when the EA Military Games were incepted in 2005.
The two week-long military sports bonanza will closed on Saturday.
The events which featured are football, netball, handball, basketball and cross country.
Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza, who is the current chairperson of the EAC Heads of State Summit, officially opened the Games on 16 August.
The main objective of the Military Sports and Culture is to contribute to confidence-building and nurturing a spirit of sportsmanship among the EAC defence forces as well as for the individual soldiers to demonstrate their talents and diverse cultures
At least 500 military sportsmen and women from the region are taking part in the games.
This is the first time Burundi is hosting the East African Military Games since joining the EAC in 2007.
Besides the Games, the EAC Defence Sector is celebrating 10 years of cooperation, which will climax in November 2011 with the theme "One People, One Destiny: Yet Another Decade for Deeper EAC Defence Cooperation".
East African News Agency
Tanzania maintained their unbeaten streak to retain the East African Community (EAC) Military Games Netball Tournament after defeating hard-fighting |and close rivals Uganda 55-33 in a thrilling last match here on Saturday.
Tanzania led by towering sportswoman of the year Mwanaidi Hassan, displayed brilliant skills and accurate passes to succumb the Ugandans, who were the first to take an early lead but which was short lived. Tanzania bounced back shortly and took command of the first quarter by 14-8.
The high-tension match was briefly halted in the second quarter when Ugandans protested that umpires from Kenya and Burundi were biased.
Uganda’s attacking duo of Annet Nakiwu and Carol Aiupo came out aggressively on resumption but their efforts were thwarted by Tanzania’s powerful midfield and defence.
Tanzania stretched further their lead in the third quarter to 39-25 a Ugandans tried in vain to narrow the gap.
Tanzania began their title defence in a style after crushing hosts Burundi 96-75 on August 17.
The next day they hammered Rwanda 105- 18 and swallowed Kenya in a closely contested match 43-38 last Wednesday. ‘’I’m extremely delighted that we have retained the cup for the sixth time in succession. We were confident that we’re the best,’’ said coach Grace Peter moments after the final whistle was blown.
Tanzania’s Defence Liaison Officer at the EAC Secretariat, Col. Michael Luwongo, was also full of praise for the netballers for having demonstrated discipline and skills to retain the championship. ‘’They have made us all very proud,’’ he added. Tanzania has been winning the title since 2005 when the EA Military Games were incepted in 2005.
The two week-long military sports bonanza will closed on Saturday.
The events which featured are football, netball, handball, basketball and cross country.
Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza, who is the current chairperson of the EAC Heads of State Summit, officially opened the Games on 16 August.
The main objective of the Military Sports and Culture is to contribute to confidence-building and nurturing a spirit of sportsmanship among the EAC defence forces as well as for the individual soldiers to demonstrate their talents and diverse cultures
At least 500 military sportsmen and women from the region are taking part in the games.
This is the first time Burundi is hosting the East African Military Games since joining the EAC in 2007.
Besides the Games, the EAC Defence Sector is celebrating 10 years of cooperation, which will climax in November 2011 with the theme "One People, One Destiny: Yet Another Decade for Deeper EAC Defence Cooperation".
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