Date: Wednesday 28th June 2023
Kigali, Rwanda – The Minister of Education of Rwanda Hon. Dr. Uwamariya Valentine, along with officials from the Rwandan Federation, welcomed the inspection team from the Federation of East Africa Secondary School Sports Associations (FEASSSA) on Wednesday. The inspection team, consisting of representatives from Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, arrived to assess the preparedness and facilities for the upcoming FEASSSA tournament. However, three teams, South Sudan, Congo, and Burundi, were yet to arrive.
The meeting commenced with a brief from the President of the Rwanda Association, who expressed his gratitude for the warm reception received by the FEASSSA inspection team. He highlighted the importance of sports in improving the quality of education and fostering unity among the East African Community. He also expressed regret over the absence of the other participating countries and emphasized Rwanda’s commitment to hosting a successful tournament.
Hajarah Ddembe the leader of the delegation from Uganda, one(Uganda) of the founding members of FEASSSA, shared her positive experience of Rwanda, praising its beautiful scenery and expressing confidence that it would inspire the participating students. She stressed the need for improved networking among students from different countries and assured Rwanda of Uganda’s government support in facilitating the participation of their 1,300 students. She conveyed greetings from the Ugandan government and extended best wishes to all the participants.
“We have enjoyed the beautiful scenery of Rwanda; this will inspire the students once they land in Rwanda,” said the Hajarah representative. “We believe that the environment here is favorable for networking among students from different countries. The Ugandan government is ready to support the 1300 students who will participate in this year’s edition. As one of the founding members of FEASSSA, we are determined to take victory home, and we bring greetings from the Ugandan government, wishing everyone the best ahead of this year’s tournament.”
Hajarah Ddembe – Uganda Leader of Delegation
The inspection team also received a briefing from the Tanzania Federation, highlighting the history of FEASSSA. The organization was formed two decades ago and has since witnessed the emergence of talented athletes who have gone on to represent their national teams. Rwanda had previously hosted the tournament in 2018, and the last edition, the 20th anniversary of FEASSSA, was held in Arusha, Tanzania. The upcoming editions of the tournament will be hosted by Uganda in 2024 and Kenya in 2025.
In response to the briefings, the Rwandan Minister of Education addressed the gathering, emphasizing the manifold benefits of sports, including its positive impact on education and youth development. She acknowledged that sports fosters unity and collaboration within the East African Community, providing a platform for sharing experiences and opportunities. The Minister expressed gratitude to the inspection team for their visit and requested their valuable feedback to ensure the safety and comfort of the participating students. She pledged to offer the best hospitality and make the students feel at home, leveraging Rwanda’s familiarity with hosting such events.
The Minister expressed regret over the absence of South Sudan, Congo, and Burundi, stating her disappointment that these countries would not be able to participate in this year’s edition. However, she expressed her pride in hosting the tournament and reaffirmed Rwanda’s commitment to developing competitive athletes at all levels, from local to regional and international competitions.
“We want our students to be competitive at all levels, from the country to the regional and international stages,” declared the Rwandan Minister of Sports. “Hosting this year’s edition of the FEASSSA tournament is a great opportunity for us to showcase our commitment to sports development and create a platform for our young athletes to shine. Let us work together to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all participants. We want them to feel not only like competitors but also like part of our Rwandan family.”
Dr. Uwamariya Valentine
The inspection team will evaluate the facilities, accommodation, and overall preparations for