Kampala — Tanzanian High Commissioner Ladislaus Komba has launched the registration of participants in the Afrika Mashariki Fest (AMF) half marathon, which will take place on May 29.

The run will start and end at Kololo Independence Grounds.

While addressing the press after the launch on Sunday at Nakumatt Acacia Mall in Kololo, Kampala, Dr Komba, who signed up for the 10km run, said the launch was meant to inaugurate the half marathon for the Afrika Masariki Fest initiated by the youth to promote the East African Community (EAC) integration.

“The aim is to promote awareness, understanding and support our leaders in the integration process and to me, any process that is aimed towards the integration of our countries is welcome and I am proud to be part of it,” he said.

Dr Komba further said the Afrika Mashariki Fest (AMF) initiative is also intended to promote youth development and job opportunities and will also focus on protection and conservation of Lake Victoria, the region’s largest water body.

The AMF chief executive, Mr Kisembo Ronex Tendo, while addressing the press at the launch, said the event is a non-partisan voluntary youth platform that seeks to promote the regional integration of the six EAC member states.

“We, therefore, seek to engage them across the region to embrace the EAC integration process through art, sports and civil society advocacy as our platforms,” he said.

Key athletes invited

He said the run is expected to involve elite athletes with 10 from Addis Ababa, a contingent from Tanzania led by Ambassador Zakia Mohammed Mrisho and others from Kenya led by Mr Ezekiel Kemboi and Uganda led by Mr Stephen Kiprotich,” he said.

Source: All Africa

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