For once the Africa Cup of Nations got its Hollywood ending as unfancied Zambia took home the trophy, nearly twenty years after the tragic air crash that wiped out most of its national side.
Central and eastern Africa isn't well known for its football, but in the East Africa Cup it has the biggest youth sports event of its kind in the world, and Zambia has been sending teams since 2010.
It's more than a sports tournament: the biggest prizes don't just go to the best players, but the best all-round competitors. Around half the participants are girls, and there's a sitting volleyball tournament where youngsters with disabilities compete with able-bodied young people.
Morning workshops in topics like first aid and HIV and AIDS education are followed by by afternoon games and evening cultural activities. The ethos is not about discovering the next Drogba, it's about giving organisations who use sport in their community throughout the year a chance to shine.
The problem is that all of this costs money: and most of the teams are 'cash poor'. To hire a coach and driver to get to the event, pay for accommodation, passports and vaccinations, provide a nutritious meal for 2,000 youngsters, support year-round workshops, pay the school fees of young players who attend the community sports clubs which make up the participating teams, and train the seminar leaders all costs money.
The event is paid for by a mix of private sponsors, local and international organisations and institutional donors who provide money and services in kind, but there is set to be a funding shortfall this year of around $200k which is set to rise in future years.
The EAC happens annually in Moshi, Tanzania, in the last week of June: but this year there will be a London launch party on Friday March 9, with the aim of ensuring that people who might wish to help sponsor or fund the event, volunteer or tell the world about it can get together and find out more.
There'll be East African food, a very short screening, networking opportunities and the chance to find out more about the event. We hope it will be fun, too. If you are interested in coming along and helping the EAC the happy ending it deserves, please get in touch via email: eastafricacup@mac.com
Central and eastern Africa isn't well known for its football, but in the East Africa Cup it has the biggest youth sports event of its kind in the world, and Zambia has been sending teams since 2010.
It's more than a sports tournament: the biggest prizes don't just go to the best players, but the best all-round competitors. Around half the participants are girls, and there's a sitting volleyball tournament where youngsters with disabilities compete with able-bodied young people.
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| Finals day at the East Africa Cup |
Morning workshops in topics like first aid and HIV and AIDS education are followed by by afternoon games and evening cultural activities. The ethos is not about discovering the next Drogba, it's about giving organisations who use sport in their community throughout the year a chance to shine.
The problem is that all of this costs money: and most of the teams are 'cash poor'. To hire a coach and driver to get to the event, pay for accommodation, passports and vaccinations, provide a nutritious meal for 2,000 youngsters, support year-round workshops, pay the school fees of young players who attend the community sports clubs which make up the participating teams, and train the seminar leaders all costs money.
The event is paid for by a mix of private sponsors, local and international organisations and institutional donors who provide money and services in kind, but there is set to be a funding shortfall this year of around $200k which is set to rise in future years.
The EAC happens annually in Moshi, Tanzania, in the last week of June: but this year there will be a London launch party on Friday March 9, with the aim of ensuring that people who might wish to help sponsor or fund the event, volunteer or tell the world about it can get together and find out more.
There'll be East African food, a very short screening, networking opportunities and the chance to find out more about the event. We hope it will be fun, too. If you are interested in coming along and helping the EAC the happy ending it deserves, please get in touch via email: eastafricacup@mac.com
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