The 23rd edition of the Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSA) Games has received a major boost with an injection of USD 90,000 from the East African Development Bank (EADB). The tournament, currently underway in Morogoro, Tanzania, has attracted 413 teams and 5,548 participants from across East Africa competing in 51 sporting disciplines, making it one of the largest school sports events on the continent.

Speaking during the official opening ceremony of the games, EADB Country Manager, Mr. Stephen Wambura, said the FEASSA tournament is an apt platform for the Bank to invest in the development of East Africa’s young sporting talent as part of the bank’s mission to contribute to sustainable development programs that create a lasting positive impact for 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 Mr. 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.

EADB's sponsorship will support the production of medals and trophies for winning teams, as well as the provision of playing kits for participants competing in the finals.

As hosts of this year’s edition of the FEASSA Games, Tanzania has fielded one of the largest contingents at the tournament, with 127 teams and  1,704 participants competing across the various disciplines.

In boys' football, Tanzania is represented by Nsumba Secondary School, Mbeya Day Secondary School, Morogoro Secondary School and Urambo Day Secondary School, while Ziba Secondary School, Fountain Gate School, Alliance Girls High School and Kilombero Secondary School carry the host nation's hopes in the girls' competition

The hosts are also expected to mount a strong challenge in volleyball, where Lumala Secondary School, Kaliua Secondary School and Kajunjumele Secondary School feature in the boys' tournament, while Mengele Secondary School, Lumala Secondary School and Mwanhuzi Secondary School seek honours in the girls' category.

Basketball presents another opportunity for Tanzania to make its mark on home soil. In the boys' 5x5 competition, Nsumba Secondary School, St Jude Secondary School and Juhudi Secondary School are tasked with leading the country's challenge, while Orkeeswa Secondary School, Uru Community Secondary School and Rungwa Secondary School will represent Tanzania in the girls' event.

Tanzania will also be looking for strong performances in netball, a discipline in which the country has consistently produced competitive teams. Mkolani Secondary School, Vwawa Secondary School and Mbeya Secondary School are expected to be among the contenders as they seek to capitalize on home advantage.

Uganda has once again demonstrated its stature as a regional school sports powerhouse by fielding the largest contingent at the 23rd FEASSA Games, with 130 teams and 1,660 participants competing across the Secondary Schools, Primary Schools and Special Needs Education (SNE) categories.

In boys' football, Uganda's challenge is spearheaded by traditional giants St Mary's Boarding School Kitende, Amus College School, Kyadondo Secondary School and defending champions Bukedea Comprehensive School, all of whom are expected to be strong contenders for regional honors.

The girls' football competition features another formidable Ugandan presence, led by Rines Secondary School, Amus College School, Boni Consili Girls Vocational and Secondary School and Jinja Progressive Academy (JIPRA), schools that have consistently performed strongly in national and regional competitions.

Uganda is also expected to mount a serious challenge in volleyball, a discipline in which the country has traditionally excelled. In the boys' category, Bukedea Comprehensive School, Namugongo Vocational and Secondary School and St. Jerome Secondary School Ndama will lead the charge, while Seroma Christian High School and Katikamu SDA Secondary School are among the schools carrying Uganda's hopes in the girls' competition.

Basketball remains one of Uganda's strongest disciplines, with schools such as St Michael High School, St Cyprian High School and Amus College School competing in the boys' 5x5 category. In the girls' event, traditional powerhouses St Mary's Kitende, Nabisunsa Girls School and St Noa Girls Secondary School Zzana will be seeking to extend Uganda's dominance on the regional stage.

Defending champions, Team Kenya, is one of the largest contingents in Morogoro, with 125 teams and 1,704 participants competing in over 40 disciplines. Kenya targets to defend the overall title won in Kakamega last year, spearheaded by Kakamega School, St Mary's School Yala and Mengai Boys High School in boys football and St. Joseph's Girls Kitale, Nyakach Girls and Archbishop Njenga Girls High School in the girls football competition.

Kenya seeks to extend its dominance in the volleyball category with national champions Kesogon Girls alongside Soweto Academy and Mwitoti Secondary School carrying the country's hopes in the girls’ category. On the boys' side, Chesamis Boys, Matiliku Secondary School and Chepsaita Secondary School lead the Kenyan charge

Rugby, a category which Kenya participates as a consistent powerhouse, is represented by Kisii School, Upper Hill School and St Mary's School Yala in the boys' 15s competition, while Butula Boys, Cardinal Otunga Mosocho and Bokoli Boys fly the Kenyan flag in the boys' sevens tournament. In the girls' categories, Kinale Girls and St Joseph's Girls Kitale are among the teams expected to challenge strongly for honours.

Basketball also presents a promising avenue for Kenyan success, with former regional giants Lukenya School and Friends School Kamusinga competing in the boys' 5x5 category, while Kaya Tiwi and Butere Girls carry Kenya's medal hopes in the girls' competition.

Rwanda has sent a strong delegation to the 23rd FEASSA Games, with 19 teams and 302 participants competing across the Secondary Schools and Primary Schools categories as the country seeks to make its mark at East Africa's premier schools sporting event.

In boys' football, Rwanda is represented by CGF Kigali, which will carry the country's hopes in a highly competitive tournament featuring champions from across East Africa. On the girls' side, PSB Huye will fly the Rwandan flag as they seek to advance deep into the competition.

Volleyball is expected to be one of Rwanda's key areas of focus. Nyanza Technical Secondary School (Nyanza TSS) will represent the country in the boys' competition, while GS Indangaburezi leads Rwanda's charge in the girls' tournament.

Rwanda also boasts representation in basketball, where ITS Kigali will compete in the boys' 5x5 category, while ESB Kamonyi will seek to challenge for honours in the girls' competition against some of the region's strongest basketball programs.

In handball, GS Tabagwe and Kiziguro Secondary School will represent Rwanda in the boys' and girls' competitions respectively, while Rwandan athletes are also expected to compete across athletics, swimming, racquet sports, chess and scrabble, providing further opportunities to secure medals for the nation.

The tournament, scheduled to conclude on August 22, is expected to deliver a fiercely contested battle for honours across all disciplines and a strong overall performance as East Africa's finest young athletes compete for regional supremacy.

ENDS

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