Amazing things can happen at the East Africa Cup, an annual festival of learning, sport, and intercultural exchange, says journalism trainee Daniel Wahome in Moshi, Tanzania.
In the space of just one hundred days from April-June 1994 an estimated 800,000 Rwandans were killed in the genocide that shocked the continent and the world. Move forward to 2011, and two young men are in Moshi, Tanzania representing Rwanda in a sporting tournament. The father of one killed the father of the other.
This reconciliation between the two young men has been aided by a Kenyan who teaches English in Rwanda. During English lessons, the children write essays about what they feel, how their country’s history has affected them, and what they aspire to be. The project coordinator Catherine Njeri is also in Moshi with the players, improving her media skills.
And then there is the team of physically handicapped players from Burundi, who have defeated an able bodied team in sitting volleyball. For most of the players from Burundi, it is also their first time in a foreign land.
South Sudan, the world’s newest nation, is also represented – and not by young men, but by young women! The team have undertaken a 4,000 kilometre round trip from Yambio in the south-west of the country in order to compete.
Bring in Wilson Kipketer, a former 800 metre world champion and record holder as a motivational speaker, and you have a festival of learning, sport, and intercultural exchange: the East Africa Cup.
A year in the community
Initiated in 2003, the East Africa Cup is an annual tournament that brings together 1,500 young people aged 11-16 years for a week of competition, fellowship and education.
Every year has a theme, which for 2011 was “A week in Moshi, a year in the community.” This year eight countries were represented: Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, hosts Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Wilson Kipketer, 800 metre world champion and world record holder reminded players of their achievements: “You are the hero, all eyes are on you; you have to be a role model for the others. You have to be respectful; you have to be a leader now,” said Kipketer.
Beyond the sport, participants learn how to tell their story to the public. There are workshops on cartooning, film-making and media skills. Journalists too are part of the training to understand the concept of sport for development better.
As a sports broadcaster myself I have learnt to respect the culture of people, listen to people, motivate people, and most importantly, motivate young people. This one week in Moshi will certainly be a year in the community.
Daniel Wahome is a Sports Broadcaster for the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation.
