South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Simon Deng
The Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative (WPDI), in collaboration with the Swedish Postcode Lottery and the South Sudan Football Association have successfully concluded the month-long 2024 under-20 Whitaker Peace Tournament at the Giada playground.
Bush Buse, the Program Coordinator for Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative (WPDI) in Central Equatoria State, said on Sunday at the end of the tournament that sports plays key role in transforming mindsets of young people impacted by war and violence.
“Sports serve as an avenue for inclusion in productive activities and offers protection from crime and social ills,” said Buse.
Buse said the event held in Juba from November 2 to December 8, aimed to promote peace and community cohesion through sports, adding that sports is the unifying factor for communities affected by conflict.
“The tournament’s mission is creating harmonious coexistence and showcasing football talent, whether you win or lose, we are all winners of the Whitaker Peace Tournament, Sports play its role in fostering growth and community belonging,” he said.
Juma Lyon, captain of Al Salam FC said the tournament has united young people in Lologo, thus fostering a sense of freedom and safety in the community.
Lyon urged Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative (WPDI) to extend the tournament to include young people above the age of 20 in order to ensure that the spirit of peace continues to thrive.
Meanwhile, Everest football club claimed the trophy in the girls’ category, completing a successful tournament that reached over 500 direct participants and engaged an estimated 15,000 additional community members who have been watching the games.
James Wani, the Director of Peace in Central Equatoria State, praised the tournament’s efforts in promoting peaceful coexistence, noting that sports foster friendships and unity among communities in the country.
“Football builds relationships and broadens connections, and these reinforce the tournament’s significance as a platform for understanding and collaboration among different communities,” said Wani.
The success of the Whitaker Peace Tournament 2024 reaffirms the power of sports as a catalyst for social change and community healing, making sports a beacon of hope for bridging divides and fostering unity across the country.
This year’s tournament drew participants from both the Protection of Civilians Site 3 dubbed PoC 3 and various neighborhoods in Juba has involved a total of twenty-four teams including 12 girls’ team.
