Latest News Ethiopia, Sudan eye handball honours
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Sep 15, 2008 - 6:08:52 AM
Ethiopia, Sudan eye handball honours
By Suleiman Jongo
Ethiopia and Sudan may compete in the East and Central African handball championships to be held in Tanga from October 16 to 20.
East and Central African Handball Federation (ECAHF) chairman Cecilius Fusi said the two countries had shown their interest in competing in the regional tournament.
?We are now waiting for their official confirmation before they are included in the fixtures,? said Fusi, who is also the chairman of the Tanzania Amateur Handball Association (Taha).
Initially, the regional championships were scheduled to be held last month in Mwanza, but were postponed and moved to Tanga because of its proximity to all ECAHF member states.
Fusi said the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) would field six teams, while Kenya and Uganda had entered four and two teams, respectively.
Rwanda and Burundi are expected to field two teams each while Tanzania Mainland has entered five teams by virtue of being the hosts. Zanzibar has also confirmed it will compete in the championships.
Fusi said handball fans should look forward to a highly competitive and exciting event.
?All teams have made exhaustive preparations and we expect this year?s championships to be very thrilling with teams displaying high standards.?
Fusi appealed to companies and private individuals to come forward and sponsor the tournament which is a regular fixture on the ECAHF calendar.
Kenya?s Cereals and DRC?s Stom Mikishi are the reigning men?s and women?s champions, respectively.
The regional event will be preceded by the Nyerere Cup programmed for October 10 to 14 in Tanga. The event will be held in remembrance of Tanzania?s first President, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere.
DRC?s Heritage and Mikishi will be defending their men?s and women?s titles, respectively, in the Nyerere Cup.