Press Release - Destination Moshi

14/06/2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For attention of the News Editor

Destination Moshi 

Dust off your vuvuzelas for a celebration of African culture, fellowship and football at this year's East Africa Cup.

Have you ever been abroad? For many of the 1300 boys and girls from Zambia, Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, Zimbabwe, Rwanda and Uganda this is their first time, and it's been a long road to get there.

Not just because of the long journeys by bus (several days for some teams in order to arrive Moshi, Tanzania in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro), but because the clubs involved in the East Africa Cup (EAC) must show a year-round commitment to sport in their community: the football drives the passion, but it's used to provide a platform for training in life skills. 

So the under 16 players attend morning workshops in topics like HIV and AIDS prevention, leadership, first aid and conflict resolution before each afternoon's games. For many of the of the young people taking part in the journey involvement in sport and the chance of being involved in the event has helped improve school attendance throughout the year.

In the afternoon there's the famous (and often competitive) under 16 football tournament, and this year there's also sitting volleyball - which gives disabled youngsters the chance to participate in physical activity.

Around half of all players are girls, and the which sends out a strong signal that girls can achieve; indeed a former EAC head of the referees went on to become the first CAAF (Confederation of African Football) commissioner, taking charge of international fixtures.

Whilst there are plenty of high profile success stories - and some EAC players have gone on to become professionals, - this isn't the main goal. The  focus of the event is to highlight the role of youth as real changemakers in their respective  “home” communities: youth leaders involved with the EAC and its participating organisations  set an example in slum neighbourhoods, or be part of the peace-building process in areas affected by violent conflict.

The BBC World Service Trust's involvement means there will be training sessions for East African Journalists covering the event, as well as for youth leaders who want to develop media skills through promoting their organisation's work: there's a strong practical element to this, as the young people host local and international media covering the event, and they will work closely with the film-making group. A new addition for this year is a cartoon workshop! So expect plenty of exclamation marks!!! 

In the evening the cultural teams put on a show. The dancing, singing, and drama from the countries involved creates an atmosphere where young people can make new friends from other countries: for youngsters who have never left their home neighbourhood this is quite an experience. 

For Moshi, there's an real economic benefit: as well as local businesses benefitting, the schools which host the youngsters have been able to pay for new classrooms and repairs through 

This year's East Africa Cup takes place between 20th and 25 June. The finals take place on the afternoon of Saturday 25 June at Moshi Memorial Stadium - come and say hello if you are in the area.

Partners in the EAC are formally Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), Kristen Idretts kontakt (KRIK), Mathare Youth Sports Association (MYSA), and Christian Sports Contact (CHRISC). Other supporting partners are BBC World Service Trust, Right to Play, Norway Cup, Norges Idrettsforbund, Fredskorpset, Statoil, Ultimate Security, Tanzania Football Federation, Tanzania National Sports Council, and NORAD. 

–Ends-

Contacts

For general media enquiries, please contact: Elly Omondi omoelly@gmail.com

If you want to speak to the BBCWST media team contact: nick.raistrick@bbc.co.uk

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact:
George Kamau george.kamau@mysakenya.org or Bjarte Øen bjarte@krik.no

The East Africa Cup is looking for new sponsors - for more details please contact:
Svein Olsen sveino@npaid.org or Bjarte Øen bjarte@krik.no

Notes to editors

Much more than a sports tournament, the East Africa Cup is a celebration of sports, fellowship, cultural exchange and education. Set against the spectacular, Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, the event features more than 1300 participants from Zambia, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Uganda.
Before a ball is kicked the young people attending the event – and their leaders – get involved in a practical, educational programme of workshops. These include first aid, Kicking Aids Out, conflict resolution, leadership skills, and refereeing. The participating clubs must show a year-round commitment to using sports in their communities, and after each afternoon’s football there are cultural activities like dancing, signing and poetry.

The East Africa Cup (EAC) was created formally in 2004. The current core partners are Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), Kristen Idrettskontakt (KRIK), Mathare Youth Sports Association (MYSA) and Christian Sports Contact (CHRISC).