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The East African Development Bank (EADB) has injected USD 90,000 into the 23rd Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSA) Games, providing a major boost to the regional school sports competition taking place in Morogoro, Tanzania.
The sponsorship will support the successful staging of the games, including the production of medals and trophies for winning teams and the provision of playing kits for participants competing in the finals.
This year’s FEASSA Games have attracted 413 teams and 5,548 participants from across East Africa, competing in 51 sporting disciplines, making the event one of the biggest school sports gatherings in the region.
Speaking during the official opening ceremony, EADB Country Manager Stephen Wambura said the bank’s decision to support FEASSA reflects its commitment to investing in young people and supporting initiatives that contribute to the region’s long-term development.
EADB Country Manager Stephen Wambura
“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,” Wambura said.
He said sport provides an important platform for developing young talent while promoting discipline, healthy lifestyles and interaction among young people from different East African countries.
“Sports sponsorship is one of the key pillars of our Corporate Social Initiatives agenda because we understand the transformative power of sports in shaping character, promoting healthy lifestyles and unlocking opportunities for young people in our region,” he added.
EADB Country Manager Stephen Wambura with FEASSSA President Justus Mugisha
Uganda has the biggest contingent at this year’s games, sending 130 teams and 1,660 participants across the Secondary Schools, Primary Schools and Special Needs Education (SNE) categories.
The large Ugandan delegation will be hoping to translate its strong presence into medals as the country seeks to maintain its reputation as one of the region’s leading school sports nations.
In boys’ football, St Mary’s Boarding School Kitende, Amus College School, Kyadondo Secondary School and defending champions Bukedea Comprehensive School headline Uganda’s challenge.
Rines Secondary School, Amus College School, BoniConsili Girls Vocational and Secondary School and Jinja Progressive Academy (JIPRA) are among the Ugandan schools competing in girls’ football.
Uganda is also expected to challenge strongly in volleyball, with Bukedea Comprehensive School, Namugongo Vocational and Secondary School and St Jerome Secondary School Ndama leading the boys’ campaign. Seroma Christian High School and Katikamu SDA Secondary School are among the teams representing Uganda in the girls’ event.
In basketball, St Michael High School, St Cyprian High School and Amus College School will compete in the boys’ 5×5 category, while St Mary’s Kitende, Nabisunsa Girls School and St Noa Girls Secondary School Zzana will carry Uganda’s hopes in the girls’ competition.
With the tournament running until August 22, the competition is expected to intensify as schools from across East Africa battle for honours in the various disciplines.
Beyond the medals, EADB’s investment underlines the growing role of sport in youth development and regional integration, bringing together thousands of young East Africans through competition, cultural exchange and shared experiences.
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