“Run for Peace” event held in Yambio

24 Jul 2014

“Run for Peace” event held in Yambio

23 July 2014 - To promote peace in Western Equatoria State, UNMISS today organized a sports competition in the state capital Yambio.

Hundreds of local youth and mission staff participated in the event under the theme “Run for Peace”. Different sports included a five-kilometre marathon race, 100-metre race, 200-metre race and a football tournament.

The activities, aimed at fostering co-existence among communities in the state, were organized in the wake of conflict that erupted in several South Sudanese states in December 2013, which took on an ethnic dimension in some areas.

Nelson Obando, who won the five-kilometre race, said “I deserved to win this competition because I seriously prepared for it.”

He added that he was prepared to participate in other peace-building sports activities.

UN Police Advisor Hege Sales, who came third in the five-kilometre race, said she had felt moved to participate because such activities promote peace and unity. She urged the South Sudanese people to “embrace each other in peace”.

Over 2,000 people witnessed the award ceremony, in which the top three winners of each event received medals, trophies, t-shirts, bags, wall clocks and caps.

Tembo Trading Company Ltd, a private company in Yambio, supported UNMISS in providing the prizes.

Presenting the awards, the Director General of the State Ministry of Youth and Sports in Western Equatoria State, Simon Masini, said such events were important in promoting peace at a critical time in the country.

“I am so grateful to be part and parcel of peace promotion through sports activities at the time South Sudan needs peace,” he said.

He commended UNMISS for spearheading the activities and urged the mission to continue doing so, noting that sports can unite people. He also pledged the state government’s support.