INTER-PARLIAMENTARY GAMES KICK OFF ON SATURDAY

Arumeru East MP, Hon Joshua Nassari (left) battles for the ball with EALA's Hon Emmanuel Nengo in last year's tournament in Kampala. This year's tournament takes place in Arusha and includes netball, athletics and tug-of-war

The EAC (EALA) mooted the idea of the liaising with other Parliaments through football in 2001. Then, EALA hosted a special tournament to mark the occasion of its establishment in Arusha, Tanzania.

However, it was not until November 2009 that EALA organised the initial Inter-Parliamentary football tournament in Arusha. EALA has continued to organise the games as the coordinator and works closely with the hosting National Assembly/Parliament to ensure successful tournaments. 

The EAC Speakers at their 4th Speakers’ Forum held in the same month agreed to have the Inter-Parliamentary games held on an annual and rotational basis. At the same time, the Speakers’ Forum urged all National Assemblies/Parliaments to have a permanent budget line for the tournament.

The 2nd Inter-Parliamentary Football Tournament was held in Bujumbura, Burundi, on November 22-30th, 2011. 

The tournament coincided with the 10th Anniversary celebrations of EALA. The opportunity was used to hold other activities in the social, intellectual and political fields as EALA marked its decade of existence.

The week- long event took place at the Prince Louis Rwagasore Stadium in Bujumbura, Burundi.

In November 2012, the Kenya National Assembly hosted the 3rd Inter-Parliamentary Games, 2012 in Nairobi, Kenya. 

For the first time, netball was also introduced as a sport in the tournament resulting in rebranding of the initiative from the Inter-Parliamentary Football Tournament to the Inter-Parliamentary Games Tournament. The Games were held at the Nyayo National Stadium (football and gymnasium grounds).

Uganda hosted the fourth edition of the Inter-Parliamentary Games, 2013. The tournament was held in Kampala, Uganda, on December 8-15, 2013.

All the Partner States’ Parliaments were represented in the football tournament while three Partner States (Kenya, Uganda and United Republic of Tanzania) took part in the netball tournament. EAC/EALA fielded a team in both games.

The opportunity is also used to hold other activities in the social, intellectual and political arena.