Stage set for Africa military games

Apr 12, 2002

THE stage is set for the first African military games in Nairobi April 17-27 with 1,562 athletes including 57 from Uganda expected to battle it out in 11 disciplines.

By Reuben Olita in NairobiTHE stage is set for the first African military games in Nairobi April 17-27 with 1,562 athletes including 57 from Uganda expected to battle it out in 11 disciplines.Uganda's contingent includes only male athletes that will feature in five disciplines - track and field, boxing, handball, taekwondo and football.The soccer final will be played at the Moi international sports centre, Kasarani which is also the venue for the opening and closing ceremonies.Nyayo national stadium will also host some preliminary round matches.Ten countries - South Africa, Cameroon, Gabon, Guinea, Lesotho, Libya, Mali, Rwanda, Uganda and hosts Kenya - will feature in the soccer bonanza that is expected to provide thrills besides athletics.University of Nairobi's Taifa hall in the city centre will host judo and taekwondo, Charter hall (boxing), City park stadium (hockey), basketball (Nyayo Stadium), swimming (Kasarani), handball (Nyayo), golf (Muthaiga), judo (Kasarani) and volleyball (Kasarani).Nigeria with a team of 270 is the largest besides the hosts who have entered 287. South Africa with 155, Zimbabwe (150), Cameroon (131), Guinea (103), Lesotho (72), Libya (70) and Botswana with 67 are leading in the number of participants.Statistics released by the organisers indicate 32 countries in attendance with Cote d'Ivoire and Guinea Bissau coming as observers.Like Ethiopia that has entered only athletics, Benin, DRC, Mali, Niger, Swaziland, and Zambia have entered one discipline.ends

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