APR FC open with Uganda’s Simba in EAC Military Games

RWANDA Defence Forces [RDF] side APR FC will begin their quest for this year’s EAC Military Games football title against Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) team, Simba, on August 9 at Moi International Sports Centre in Kasarani, Nairobi, Kenya. APR FC ended last season title-less, the first it had happened in the club’s history and will be hoping to at least win the armed forces title as consolation for was a rough season. The team, which will be made of mainly youth players, started pre-season training on August 1 at Ferwafa turf under the close eye of head coach Andreas Spier. The team will also face defending champions Kenya’s Ulinzi Stars on August 12, Tanzania Defence Forces on August 13, before winding up their preliminary campaign against Burundi Forces on August 15. In handball, Rwanda will open up its quest against Burundi on August 9; face Uganda on August 10 and Tanzania on August 12 before winding up against hosts Kenya on August 13 at Nyayo stadium. In Netball, Rwanda will play hosts Kenya on August 9; Uganda on August 10 and Tanzania on August 13 before taking on Burundi on August 15 at Kenya School of Monetary Studies. In athletics, Rwanda will be represented by APR Athletics Club in the competition which will be held on August 8 at Kahawa Barracks with the men competing in the 12km race, while the women will take part in the 8km event. In basketball, APR, under the tutelage of Kenyan trainer Cliff Owour, will open against Uganda on August 9; take on Kenya on August 10; face Tanzania on August 12 and conclude their title attempt against Burundi on August 13 at MISC Kasarani Gym. Five nations have already confirmed to take part in the upcoming East African Military Games that start on August 7 in four different venues across Nairobi. The games that will run until August 17 will bring together over 700 soldiers from the five EAC member states namely Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and Rwanda. The theme for this year’s event is “One people, one destiny through EAC military games and cultural events”. Kenya’s chief of defence forces Gen. Julius Karangi has challenged Team Kenya to go for the best results. He spoke at the department of defense headquarters while handing over the national flag to the team. This will be the second time that Kenya is hosting the games since 2006. Uganda played host in 2005 and 2008, Tanzania in 2007, Rwanda in 2009 and Burundi in 2011. The 2012 edition was not held.