The Torit State football team defeated Kapeota State 2-0 in a football tournament organized to mark the 64th anniversary of Torit mutiny at Torit Freedom Square on Sunday.

The tournament was organized by Torit Football Association (TFA) with support from Remembering the Ones We Lost, a civil society-led project.

Joseph Amanya, the director for research at the organization, hailed the governments of the two states for promoting youth activities.

He said sports activities promote unity among the youth. “We are so much touched by the spirit of unity that people of the former Eastern Equatoria have shown. The football match we are playing here shows the struggles people made in South Sudan’s history. It was in this state that war actually kicked off,” Amanya said.

Yousif Lokeno, a representative of Kapoeta football association, congratulated the Torit team for winning the football tournament.

“I want to say thousands of congratulations to Torit. As for Kapoeta, let them be patient because next time they will win. We are teams which cannot be separated. We are one blood and if we play like this, it shows that there is peace between the two states,” Lokena said.

On his part, Sabri Gamar Aldin, the head coach of Torit football club called for sports activities between the two states to continue. “The competition was good and I hope it will continue. Next time maybe it will be in Kapoeta,” Gamar said.

“Sports activities in reality help the youth in the country by keeping them busy. It is also good for their health,” he stressed.

Gamar said lack of play grounds and football attires are the major challenges affecting the development of football in Torit State.

Meanwhile, the deputy chairperson for Torit football association Emmanuel Justin Chungo said both states have the same talents. He reiterated his association’s commitment to continue organizing such football tournaments with help from authorities.