Event of the Year - building on the victory

'It's not just about winning.' 


That's one of the key messages of the East Africa Cup. It's an event mixes football with first aid classes; it's a training event for local coaches, community leaders and journalists.


It's a youth tournament which features sitting volleyball and young people with disabilities are actively involved. It's about cultural exchange and learning, not just winning matches, and for most of the young people involved it's their first trip abroad. Whilst the games can be hard fought, the biggest trophies don't go to the winning teams, but to the best all-round participants.


So when the EAC was nominted in 2010 for Peace and Sport's  'Sports Event of the Year' award, it was great to get the exposure, even if the EAC didn't take home the silverware.


When the EAC was both nominated and victorious this year, it was a great feeling.


(The Peace and Sport organisation was founded in 2007 by Modern Pentathlon Olympic medallist and world champion Joel Bouzou, to 'promote the practice of structured sport and sporting values to educate young generations and help foster social stability, reconciliation and dialogue between communities,' and the nomination got the EAC some useful international publicity).


I was there, having been asked to speak at a plenery session during the event on media and sport. Knowing how hard so many people work towards the event made the victory special - the award was for them, far too many to fit on the stage in Monaco. All over East Africa people were proud of their involvement, and journalists and others got in touch from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania.


Certainly a great day, but as with any winning team, it's what happens next that matters. How does the EAC moves forward?


The international recognition and exposure resulting from the award is most welcome, of course. But only if it can help towards ensuring a long term stable future for the event. In particular, there's a big funding challenge. At a time when the world economy is fragile, the EAC has a shortfall in funding to ensure it's future.
If you think you can help, get in touch.