The grounds in the Bangladesh Battalion camp in the UN Mission in South Sudan compound in Juba were buzzing as hundreds of UN peacekeepers and staff from different UN agencies in gathered for the inaugural United Nations South Sudan Sports Day. The event was organised by UNMISS, UNDP and a local club called Fitness 4 Life.

The UN Sports Day gathered teams from UNMISS, UNDP, UN Women, WFP, WHO, UNAIDS, FAO, UNFPA, UNEP, IOM, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNOPS, UNIDO, UNICEF, UNDSS, UNMAS, UNHABITAT, and UNOCHA. The teams faced off in games which included football, volleyball, basketball, relay race and many more.

While each team had their game face on, pulling out all the stops to come out on top, the overarching mood at the day’s event was the spirit of One UN, delivering as one. It was a day for friendly competition and inter-agency solidarity.  

“It’s UN day.  It brought all of the UN together. So I had the possibility of interacting with people outside of my agency.  I had the opportunity of talking about the common UN vision but also I had the opportunity to socialize.  Games brings people together, so we are together.  It also symbolizes peace. And I think that is what we are here for mostly,” said Mr Lansana Wonneh, UN Women Deputy Country Representative.

Apart from the sporting activities, local traders had arts and crafts on sale at a bustling flea market and the UNMISS resident DJ’s had the crowd pumped all day.

“Today I started by participating in volleyball, and then soccer. I am looking forward to the other challenges that are ahead of us,” said Miriam Warui, UNICEF.  Today is a great day.  I have met so many people from the UN agencies and of course team building, working together, getting to know each other, having fun.”

“I do think today was a success.  As you can see all of the agencies showed up.  Everyone is having fun, socializing, partying, dancing, so it’s all good,” said Wadia Mamania, one of the organisers of the sports day.  

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