Athletes from Kenya, Rwanda, Zanzibar, Burundi, Uganda, South Sudan and the host Tanzania will compete at the Games at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
With all games now in progress at various venues, Tanzanians are expected to win many medals in athletics.
Speaking at the training session yesterday, Tanzania athletics coach Mohamed Hussein said preparations were going well and he was pleased with his athletes who will compete in 100m, 200m and 400m.
He called all Tanzanians to cheer the team, so that medals are to remain home.
18-year-old Tanzanian athlete Adinan Haroun Chongoe expressed his readiness, saying the preparations were good and he cannot wait to give his home country the first athletics medal in the Games.
Chongoe also called upon all Tanzanians to support the team, saying he believes that with strong determination, hard working and passion they are going to succeed.
Rwandan’s athletics coach Patrick Nibigika said the preparations ahead of the Games were quite good and praised the great atmosphere at the National Stadium. He said they can’t wait to get started tomorrow morning.
“We have come here (Tanzania) to compete against big countries in athletics like Kenya and Uganda, but we have our own strategies to win medals,” he said.
Rwandan’s athlete Nyiraneza Josephine (18) also said their preparations were good and they are sure of taking home medals.
Evance Rono from Kenya, who will compete in 200m and 400m, said he was well prepared for the Games and also promised to win medals for his team.
Another Kenyan, Purity Nduku, 17, said the expectation is very high but she was well prepared to compete with their fellow students of neighboring countries.
“I want to give my country (Kenya) the first athletics medal in Tanzania soil,” she said.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN