Kenyan lawmakers eye East Africa games title

Members of Parliament from Kenya dance during the official opening of 14th edition of the East African Community inter parliamentary games at Mbaraki sports club in Mombasa.[Omondi Onyango,Standard]

Kenya is ready to reclaim the Tug of War trophies! This strong warning was send by Kenya men's co-captain Majimbo Kalasinga as the 14th East African Community (EAC) Inter-Parliamentary Games kicked off in Mombasa yesterday.

The matches were officially opened by President William Ruto who urged the participants from the eight EAC member states to enhance integration of the region through the eight disciplines being contested in the two-week sports extravaganza.

Kalasinga said they have worked on various skills crucial for victories as the hosts aim for podium finish in both men and women's categories.

The men's team finished fourth last year in Kigali, Rwanda as their women counterparts bagged bronze.

"We have been training tirelessly at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi ahead of these games. We have perfected various skills including rope picking, pulling, standing and overcoming cautionary measures.

"Our grip is much stronger now, our team work is amazing and alternative pulls are very solid, we now do everything in unison," the Kabuchai Member of Parliament told Standard Sports.

Likewise, Kenya women's Jerusha Momanyi too has insisted that the women's gold will remain at home this year.

So far the women have worked on perfecting their cater line positioning and are also very cautious of the first and second marks needed to be monitored for an effective pulling that will boost their effort and propel them to victory.

"I can feel I have built very stronger muscles and this is also evident among other seven members of the squad, so our opponents are in trouble," said Momanyi.

The EAC games are meant to widen, deepen and tighten the integration of East African states.

They are are being contested by MPs from Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and newcomer Somalia, alongside host nation Kenya.

The competition encompass eight sporting disciplines including football, netball, volleyball, basketball, athletics, tug of war, darts, and golf.