Boycotting Polkraine? 'Afro2012' could for you...

Accusations of human rights abuse, match fixing and racism are putting some fans off Euro 2012. But 'Afro2012' is bringing people together in the spirit of sport, fellowship and education.

The East Africa Cup 2012 kicks off in the last week of June: the award-winning* annual youth event mixes football with first aid classes and brings together young people from Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi and Rwanda.

It combines an education programme, sports tournament and cultural event in the small town of Moshi, Tanzania in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro.

One of the qualifications for entry to the tournament, now in its ninth year, is that teams must provide evidence that they use sport to benefit their community throughout the year.

Before a ball is kicked, young players attend workshops in topics like HIV and AIDS awareness and prevention, interfaith dialogue and conflict resolution – a big deal given that some of these countries have a history of contact through conflict.

Tribal and ethnic intolerance is not permitted at the tournament – Rwandan teams mix Tutsis and Hutus, for example, and many teams feature players from a cross section of religious and tribal groups. Youngsters with disabilities are involved in competition with able bodied youngsters in a sitting volleyball tournament. Unusually for an event of this nature, girls teams make up nearly half of all participants.

“The week in Moshi is based on the fundamental belief that all youth (both able and disabled) can make a difference in their respective communities. So the week in Moshi is an inspiration to youth involving themselves in building their own communities throughout the whole year,” according to the event's organisers.

“It's about learning through sport, it's also about a year in the community, a week in Moshi,” said George Kamou, East Africa Cup Organising Committee Chairman.

The East Africa Cup is not involved in the Euro boycott, and enjoys good relations with the Football Associations from participating countries.


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