Since Burundi’s integration into the East African Community, sport has improved. Players of different games are satisfied and they benefit from integration. But, policy makers and officials should do their best in order to make sport fully integrated, different players.
« During the period of 2005and 2006, it was not easy to travel within the East African Community member states; we had to pay a visa. Sometimes, we would miss competitions held in an East African community partner state. But now, with the free movement of persons and the removal of visa fees within EAC, we easily go and come back; we participate in all competitions. We now realize that there are many trips outside Burundi than it was before when we had to participate into East African Championships. » says Fabrice Fanny Sindayigaya player of Basketball in Urunani Club.
He adds that the integration of Burundi into EAC helps them to open their minds and compete with others. He is satisfied with the steps they have reached so far. « We are now the best in Zone five (East African Community member states and Eritrea, Ethiopia and South Soudan, Somalia, Djibouti etc). In Burundian Clubs of Basketball we are the first in Zone five thanks to the competition and championships we participate in within EAC region. We salute the efforts of the government and the Ministry of youth, sports and culture for investing more and for support. »
Louis Ntibuberwa, president of Karate Club Zanshin and who was President of National Federation of Burundi during 2005-2006 agrees with Fabrice Fanny. He says: » Now, we can say that Burundians are the best ones in all games. In 2006, we didn’t miss any Champions of Karate and since 2008 till now Burundi is champion in EAC. Kenyans also believe in our ability to perform. We are proud of it. »
Fanny says that he as a Burundian also gets many advantages from being integrated into EAC in the domain of sport. Being integrated into EAC helps us learn many things. »We learn customs and cultures from other people around us. We learn new techniques in our games. We learn how to respect each other. « Being the best winners and participate in championships organized in the EAC member states also gave a new image of Burundi into the region. Louis shares Fanny’s view in saying that the benefit from the integration: « We learn how to believe in ourselves and how to practice physically by doing many exercises to make our body stay in good health, being safer and stronger; that’s why this attitude helps us win. Also when we do a game; we practice it friendly and not as enemies. »
Hassan from Tori Judo Club, a technical director and main coach in the same club says that even if Judo game in Burundi doesn’t progress at the same rhythm as other games, he affirms that since Burundi has been integrated in East African Community, those who practice Judo progressed technically: » We occupy an important place and we are the best in the region and in Zone five. This is so because we participate more extensively in African competitions. »
The government invests
« Since the integration of Burundi in EAC, there has been a notable improvement in the area of sport. Now, we are able to send a high number of players in EAC competitions and championships because we don’t need to pay for visas. We also often participate in championships organized in the region » says Jean Pierre Sinzinkayo the Head of Sport Department in Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture.
Burundians win either the first or the second place in the region. This encourages and motivates players and the government.
« Six years ago, Karate martial art game won Burundi the first place. In beach Volley, we are the best (Brilland Mugaboningabo and Yvan Dukundane are the most famous in the region at the end of the championship organized by the region and in which they received an opportunity to participate. In Basketball, Volleyball and in Handball we have a very good place in general. » Jean Pierre recalls.
The government now invests more in sport. They provides means and financially support players by giving them food, travel allowances, accommodation, health insurance and a doctor who goes with them. This is done in order to help players live in good conditions. » This we made a special effort to find an international Egyptian Coach Mohamed El Mahdi who helps players learn new techniques in order to improve their skills. He started in April this year. The government also provides means to rehabilitate some infrastructures with a small budget (three to six thousand dollars)”, says Jean Pierre. « Unfortunately, the budget voted this year has been reduced » Jean Pierre deplores.
Challenges, weaknesses and recommendations
Even if some improvements have been achieved, challenges and weaknesses are still there.
Fanny says that the government does its best but it is not enough. He says that they still endure the lack of equipments. They make very long journeys when traveling in the region especially to Tanzania and they get tired before the game. They are not also informed on time before they participate in a regional championship. He recommends that the government help support and pay at least a round ticket for travels outside EAC region. He mentions that they need to permanently have an international coach who helps them acquire new techniques in order to better compete with the international teams.
Hassan on his side says that they are not treated at the same level as others are in the region; consequently some players give up. To this end, they recommend to the government to provide more support and equipments, organize more championships and avail many opportunities to allow for more participation in championships organized in the region.
Louis expresses his gratitude towards the government and the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture for all efforts made and he asks the government to encourage and sensitize children on the benefit of doing sport especially at secondary school level and make a layout of many infrastructures in sport areas. He recommends that the Ministry in charge of EAC Affairs invest more and enable players to participate in international championships and competitions.
Jean Pierre Sinzinkayo realizes that the government uses its strengths to overcome players’ challenges and complaints and those of federations’ leaders as well. He reassures in saying that even the ministry faces a terrible budget shortage and has to deal with a chronic lack of financial means to support everyone but he reassures that the Ministry is doing and will do its best to help players, sports clubs and federations.
