An inter-communities peace football tournament kicked off Tuesday in Yei River County, Central Equatoria state, aiming to foster unity and reconciliation in greater Yei.
The eight-day tournament is being held in Yei County.
Officially launched by Yei River County Commissioner Emmanuel Taban Seme, the tournament was organized by RECONCILE International, a national organization, in partnership with the Department for Youth, Culture, and Sports. Hundreds from across the county attended.
Speaking at the kickoff event at Yei Freedom Square, Commissioner Seme urged participants to embrace peace throughout the competition.
“This tournament is a commendable move toward bringing our youth together. To be precise, it’s a peace tournament. As we begin it in peace, let us conclude it in peace,” he said.
Mustafa Adam, program officer at RECONCILE International, called on all teams to embody the spirit of peace and unity.
“I urge all teams to compete peacefully and embrace the unity this event represents,” he said.
Adam said participating teams include those from Yei, Morobo, Kajo Keji, Lainya, and Eastern and Western Equatoria, as well as teams representing Upper Nile and Northern Bahr el Ghazal states.
“The objective of this tournament is to promote peace and social cohesion through sports. As RECONCILE, we have learned that sports are a tool that unites communities,” he emphasized.