The 23rd Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSA) Games were officially opened on Sunday, 16 August 2026, at Jamhuri Stadium in Morogoro, Tanzania, with Hon. Adolf Faustine Mkenda, Minister for Education, Science and Technology of the United Republic of Tanzania, delivering a powerful message on the role of sport in shaping the future of East Africa.
Representing the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania, Hon. Mkenda welcomed the participating delegations and conveyed greetings on behalf of Her Excellency Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, the Government and the people of Tanzania.
“Karibuni Sana Tanzania. Karibuni Morogoro,” he said, welcoming the East African delegations to the championship.
Morogoro Becomes a Meeting Point for East African Youth
In his address, Hon. Mkenda described Morogoro as more than a host city. He said the city had become a meeting point for East African youth, a symbol of regional friendship and a living demonstration of the region’s commitment to peace, cooperation and sustainable development.
He expressed Tanzania’s honour in hosting the prestigious championship and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to fulfilling that responsibility with humility, pride and excellence.
The opening ceremony brought together student-athletes, teachers, coaches, technical officials, government representatives and other stakeholders, reflecting the broad role of school sport in education and youth development.
Sport as a Powerful Force for Peace
A central message in Hon. Mkenda’s speech was the ability of sport to unite people.
He observed that throughout human history, sport has proven to be one of the most effective instruments for building peaceful societies. It crosses languages and cultures, welcomes different nations and gives young people an opportunity to dream.
Sport, he explained, has the extraordinary ability to bring people together beyond political differences, ethnic identities, religious beliefs and geographical boundaries.
For this reason, sport should not be viewed simply as recreation. It is also a strategic vehicle for education, diplomacy, social cohesion and sustainable development.
Drawing on the words of Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Movement, Hon. Mkenda reminded the athletes that the true value of sport is not measured only by triumph, but also by the struggle, effort and character displayed along the way.
FEASSA: Building East African Integration Through Youth
Hon. Mkenda described the FEASSA Games as far more than an annual sporting competition.
He highlighted the championship’s role as one of the region’s important youth integration programmes, where every match, handshake, shared classroom, cultural performance and friendship contributes to stronger relationships among East African Partner States.
He connected the Games to the ideals of the East African Community — unity, cooperation, prosperity and peaceful coexistence — and emphasised that these ideals become meaningful when embraced by young people.
The Minister reminded the gathering that today’s student-athletes are tomorrow’s doctors, engineers, educators, entrepreneurs, scientists, innovators, diplomats and Heads of State.
“By bringing them together today, we are shaping the future leadership of East Africa,” he said.
Investing in Africa’s Young People
Hon. Mkenda stressed the importance of young people to Africa’s future, noting that Africa is the world’s youngest continent and that East Africa has one of the world’s greatest demographic opportunities.
He said young people should not be regarded merely as beneficiaries of development, but as drivers of development.
He therefore called for a continued commitment to educating, inspiring, empowering and protecting young people, while creating opportunities through education, science, technology, arts and sport.
School sport, he explained, has a unique role in this vision because it teaches discipline before success, responsibility before leadership, respect before victory and service before recognition.
FEASSA Games and Africa’s Development Agenda
The Minister placed the FEASSA Games within the wider aspirations of Africa and the international community.
He noted the contribution of sport to sustainable development, including areas such as good health, quality education, gender equality, peaceful societies and global partnerships.
He also linked the Games to the African Union Agenda 2063 and the East African Community Vision 2050, both of which place strong emphasis on human capital and the development of young people.
Against this backdrop, he described the FEASSA Games as an investment in Africa’s future.
Every race, goal, point and lesson learned, he said, contributes to building a more peaceful, healthier and more prosperous continent.
A Message of Excellence, Friendship and Respect
Turning directly to the student-athletes, Hon. Mkenda urged them to embrace the enduring values of the Olympic Movement: Excellence, Friendship and Respect.
He encouraged every athlete to strive to become the best version of themselves, build relationships that can last a lifetime and respect competitors, officials, teachers, coaches and the rules of sport.
These values, he emphasised, are not limited to athletics. They help define great citizens as well as great athletes.
Quoting former South African President Nelson Mandela, he reinforced his message with the reminder that sport has the power to transform individuals, communities and nations.
From Morogoro to the World Stage
Hon. Mkenda encouraged the young athletes to see the FEASSA Games as the beginning, rather than the destination, of their sporting journeys.
He expressed the hope that FEASSA would prepare athletes for major international opportunities, including the International School Sport Federation World Championships, African School Games, Commonwealth Youth Games and Youth Olympic Games.
He also challenged the young competitors to dream of eventually representing their countries at the Olympic Games.
His message was simple and powerful: dream boldly, work tirelessly and lead with integrity.
Recognising the Teachers Behind the Athletes
The Minister also paid tribute to the teachers, coaches, referees and school administrators who make sporting success possible.
He recognised the dedication of teachers who nurture young talent, coaches who inspire champions and the many individuals who believe in the dreams of young athletes.
Their contribution, he said, extends far beyond the sporting arena because they are helping to shape the next generation of East African leaders.
Different Flags, One Destiny
Reflecting on Tanzania’s history and the vision of the late founding father Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, Hon. Mkenda said African unity remains essential for shared prosperity.
He described every young person gathered at Jamhuri Stadium as a living reminder that the future of East Africa is brighter when countries stand together.
The athletes may compete under different national flags, he said, but they remain united by one destiny:
A destiny of peace. A destiny of prosperity. A destiny of shared progress.
A Shared Effort Behind the Games
Hon. Mkenda extended his appreciation to FEASSA, the East African Community Partner States, the Government of Tanzania, the Morogoro Regional Administration, sponsors, development partners, volunteers, security agencies, medical teams and everyone whose dedication contributed to making the Games possible.
He described their collective effort as evidence of what can be achieved when nations work together around a common purpose.
The 2026 FEASSA Games Officially Open
As he brought his address to a close, Hon. Mkenda called for renewed commitment to investing in young people, strengthening regional cooperation and building an East Africa that is peaceful, inclusive and globally competitive.
He expressed the hope that the Games would inspire excellence, deepen friendship, strengthen regional integration and nurture the leaders of tomorrow.
He then officially declared the 2026 FEASSA Games open on behalf of the President and the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania.
The ceremony concluded with blessings for Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, the East African Community and Africa.
In his final declaration, Hon. Mkenda officially proclaimed the opening of the East African school sports championship for 2026.
“SASA NINATANGAZA RASMI KWAMBA MASHINDANO YA MICHEZO KWA WANAFUNZI WA SHULE ZA MSINGI NA SEKONDARI KWA NCHI WANACHAMA WA JUMUIYA YA AFRIKA MASHARIKI KWA MWAKA 2026 YAMEFUNGULIWA RASMI“
