The KDF's basketball team. [Photo/standardmedia.co.ke]
The 11th EAC Military Games and Cultural Event taking place in Bujumbura, Burundi entered its fourth day with Kenya Defence Force (KDF) taking the lead in Football while Tanzania Peoples Defence Force (TPDF) leading in Netball and Basketball.
The President and Commander-in-Chief of National Defence Force of the Republic of Burundi, H.E. Pierre Nkurunziza officially launched the 11th EAC Military Games and Culture Event 2017 on Saturday 26th August and kicked-off the opening football match between Kenya Defence Force (KDF) and Burundi Defence Force (BDF), in which BDF lost 1-0 to KDF.
On Sunday 27th August, Uganda Peoples Defence Force (UPDF) tussled it out with TPDF in a 1-1 draw match presided over by Brigadier K. Pyaban, Kenya’s Chief of Mission at the Military Games and Cultural Event. On the same day, BDF Basket ballers took on their counterpart in UPDF, in which Uganda scored 66 while Burundi 63.
On Monday 28th August, in Netball (women), Tanzania played Uganda and had a marginal loss 30-31 in a match presided over by Col. Bizindavyi of BDF and Chair of the Organizing Committee of the 11th EAC Military Games and Culture Event 2017. In Volleyball (women), Uganda lost to Tanzania 0-3, while in Basketball (men), Tanzania won Kenya 68-58.
Tuesday 29th August is training day for all teams for Football, Cross-country, Netball, Volleyball, and Basketball various training field within Bujumbura city.
The games for Day 5, Wednesday 30th August 2017, included:
1. Football (men): Tanzania vs Burundi from 16:00hrs -17:30hrs at Prince Louis Rwagasore National Stadium;
2. Basketball (men): Kenya vs Burundi (15:30-17:00) at Gems Field;
3. Netball (women): Tanzania vs Burundi (16:00-17:30) at ISCAM Field; and
4. Volleyball (women): Kenya vs Uganda (09:00-10:30) at Parquet Field.
EAC Military Games and Culture Events are held in accessible venues by the civilians. In this regard, the Chair of the Organizing Committee of the 2017 Games and Cultural Event, Col. Bizindavyi of BDF has called upon civilian population, tourists/visitors in and around Bujumbura to attend the various games and give support to the teams on the pitch.