The Rwandan team secured the trophy after a hard-fought 3-2 victory against the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) team on Sunday, marking their first volleyball championship in the tournament's history.
Entering the match unbeaten, having won all four of their previous games, Rwanda demonstrated resilience and skill. The game was closely contested, with both teams tied 2-2 in sets before Rwanda clinched the decisive tiebreak set to emerge victorious.
Their flawless performance throughout the tournament made them one of the standout teams at this year's games.
The games, which began on December 6, 2024, were officially opened by Kenya's President William Ruto.
They featured lawmakers from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Somalia, Rwanda, and South Sudan competing across various sports, including football, golf, volleyball, basketball, darts, netball, athletics, tug-of-war, and walking.
While Rwanda celebrated its volleyball triumph, Uganda dominated the overall medal standings, amassing an impressive haul of 9 gold, 10 silver, and 5 bronze medals.
The Ugandan delegation led the competition, surpassing host Kenya, which finished second with 3 gold, 1 silver, and 2 bronze medals. Tanzania secured third place with 2 gold, 2 silver, and 5 bronze medals. Rwanda placed fifth with one bronze medal overall, despite their volleyball success.
Uganda's strength in tug-of-war, particularly in the women's category, was a highlight of the tournament. The Ugandan women edged out Kenya 2-1 in a rain-soaked contest on Saturday, showcasing their superior strategy and resilience. Uganda also defeated Tanzania in a nail-biting 2-1 pull earlier in the day.
In the men's tug-of-war, Uganda narrowly claimed the overall title with 13 points, followed by Tanzania with 12 points, while Kenya secured third place with 11 points.
Other standout performances included Kenya's Simon Kang'ara, who clinched gold in the 1600m walk, outpacing Uganda's Patrick Ocan with a time of 9:42.6.
The high level of competition drew praise from Mchezo Limited, the official sponsor of the games. Ivy Igunduura, Eastern Africa CSR and Partnerships Manager, lauded the resilience and mental toughness displayed, particularly in the women's tug-of-war event.
The EALA Games, a significant platform for fostering regional unity, will conclude today Monday, December 16, 2024.
Sam K Nkurunziza
