25/05/2026
SPORTS FOR PEACE TOURNAMENT ENDS IN YAMBIO WITH STRONG CALL FOR UNITY AND COEXISTENCE
Monday, 25 May
Western Equatoria State Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports says peace can be demonstrated through sports, peaceful coexistence, cultural activities, capacity building, education, human resource development, and inclusiveness.
Speaking as the guest of honour during the closure of the “Sports for Peace and Social Cohesion” tournament on Monday evening at Yambio Freedom Square, Hon. Gamboripaia Charles appreciated the organisers of the tournament — the Commission for Refugees Affairs (CRA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS), Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare (MGCSW), and the Single Coordination Unit (SPCU), with funding from the World Bank under the South Sudan Productive Safety Net for Socioeconomic Opportunities Project (SNSOP) — for the initiative taken.
Daniel Chagai Gak, Director General for Special Programmes at the Commission for Refugees Affairs (CRA), said the aim of CRA is to see peace in all refugee-hosting counties. Daniel added, “We want the refugees to integrate so that they become part and parcel of the citizens of this country.”
UNOPS Team Leader Doris Abdu emphasised that the event is more than just football; it is a symbol of unity, peace, teamwork, and coexistence among communities. “Through sports, young people are able to build friendships, promote understanding, and strengthen social harmony,” Doris stressed.
The event brought together more than 80 youths from both refugee and host communities in sports disciplines including football for both male and female categories, as well as three track and field races (100 meters for boys and girls, 200 meters for boys, and 4x100 meters relay for boys and girls). Trophies and medals were awarded to the winners and runners-up in a colourful ceremony at Yambio Freedom Square.
The successful conclusion of the tournament once again highlighted the power of sports in promoting peace, unity, and social cohesion among communities in Western Equatoria State.