The East African Development Bank (EADB) has strengthened its support for youth sports and regional integration after committing U$90,000 to sponsor the 23rd Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Associations (FEASSA) Games being held in Morogoro, Tanzania.
As part of the sponsorship, EADB Tanzania Country Manager Stephen Wambura officially handed over playing kits to FEASSA President Justus Mugisha, which will be worn by players during the final games of the regional schools championship.
The sponsorship makes EADB a key partner of this year’s competition, which brings together thousands of students, officials and coaches from across East Africa.
Speaking during the official opening ceremony, Wambura said the bank views investment in young people as an important part of sustainable development in the region.
“While our core mandate is financing development projects across key sectors of the economy, we recognize that sustainable development goes beyond infrastructure and enterprises. It also means investing in people, especially young people, who represent the future of our region.”
Wambura added that EADB committed the U$90,000 to support the successful delivery of the tournament and promote the development of young sporting talent.
“Sports sponsorship is one of the key pillars of our Corporate Social Initiatives agenda because we understand the transformative power of sports in shaping character, promoting healthy lifestyles and unlocking opportunities for young people in our region,” he said.
He noted that the partnership is intended to go beyond supporting competition, describing it as an investment in the next generation of East African leaders.
The FEASSA Games, which officially opened in Morogoro on August 16, 2026, have attracted participants from Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda and Burundi.
The competition features secondary school students under-19, primary school athletes under-15 and participants in Special Needs Education categories.
FEASSA President Justus Mugisha welcomed the partnership, saying the games have grown significantly since their inception more than two decades ago.
The 2026 edition is expected to attract about 8,000 people, including approximately 6,000 participants and more than 2,000 officials.
Mugisha described the championship not simply as a sporting event, but as a platform for strengthening East African integration, friendship, teamwork and discipline among young people.
The games began on August 14 and will continue through August 22, 2026.
Uganda enters the competition as the reigning overall champion, with teams from across the region competing for honours in a wide range of indoor and outdoor sporting disciplines.
EADB’s sponsorship adds a significant private-sector contribution to an event that combines youth development, education, sport and regional integration, while providing thousands of young East Africans with an opportunity to compete and build lasting connections.
