South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Simon Deng
The school football tournament dubbed Father John Lee Memorial Tournament held in Tonj South between June 28,202 and July 22, 2024 has rally support towards realizing sustainable peace.
Kechoon Kim, the head of Korean Mission and director of Father John Lee Foundation said sport tournament held in Tonj South seek to build friendship and solidarity among peace in Greater Tonj.
“There are good values in sport, sport bring people together, participants engage in competition but they cry and laugh together, sport make all South Sudanese happy regardless of success or failure,” said Kim on Sunday in an interview with The Dawn.
Kim disclosed that the football tournament bring together about 6000 participants including local chiefs from remote villages in Greater Tonj, adding that Father John Lee Foundation calls on chiefs to do more efforts to keep current peace on track.
Kim also revealed that people in Tonj have not been fighting over the last one year, adding that there is need to continue with such a good spirit to implement the revitalized peace agreement.
“I want to expand the sport program to the all villages, as far as Tonj is concern, everyone including students, remember how father John Lee lived his life, if they remember Father Lee they can do something good to each other,” he said.
Agor Malang Agor, the commissioner of Tonj South County (M) flanked by traditional chiefs
Agor Malang Agor, the commissioner of Tonj South County said the memorial tournament has attracted huge gathering including tradition chiefs from remote areas across Tonj South County.
The tournament is a remembering late Father John Lee, it is also about peace and love, he open school in Tonj, he also help children, pregnancy and vulnerable people, though we lost him, we still remember his good work that he has done in Tonj,” said Agor of late Father John Lee.
Hung Se Lim,the football coach who has been training secondary school students in Tonj and national football team in football basic programs since 2021 said football has the potential to unite people.
“Father John Lee has laid a strong foundation for the future generation, with continue dedication, collaboration, we can make significant stride in delivering sustainable peace across Tonj South,” said Lim.
The school tournament in Tonj South County, involving 30 primary and secondary schools, was held under the theme; Fostering future leaders, honoring Father John Lee legacy, a field of dreams for students was organized by missionary schools with support from the county government.
