Bangladeshi peacekeepers team up with Catholic University of South Sudan in Wau to launch sports activities for young students

unmiss confidence-building students youth peace security wau bangladesh sports volleyball

UNMISS peacekeepers from Bangladesh, in a bid to build trust and confidence among young students in Wau, recently teamed up with the Catholic University of South Sudan to organize sports activities. Photo by Alahayi Nemaya/UNMISS

9 Nov 2021

Bangladeshi peacekeepers team up with Catholic University of South Sudan in Wau to launch sports activities for young students

Alahayi Nemaya

“Education is not only about going to the lecture halls, the library or reading your textbooks but also about learning the value of team spirit,’’ stated Father Santino Marino, General Administrator of the Catholic University of South Sudan in Wau, Western Bahr El Ghazal.

Father Marino was speaking at the launch of sports activities at the University, an endeavor supported by Bangladeshi peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

“Sport builds good health but even more importantly, it unifies people. The team becomes larger than the individual and as South Sudanese citizens we need to engender this spirit of unity among ourselves,” continued Father Marino.

For UNMISS peacekeepers, this collaboration has everything to do with engaging youth in constructive activities as well as building their confidence.

This was evident in the loud cheers, energy and enthusiasm that accompanied a rousing game of student volleyball.

“It’s the first time I’m playing volleyball inside our campus, so while my muscles are aching, I’ve had a great day. I look forward to continuing such extracurricular activities with my teammates,” said Madut Angelo, a 23-year-old student playing for the Faculty of Agricultural Science.

Madut’s promise: To build a strong university team that will practice regularly and compete with students from other educational institutions. 

To facilitate consistency and ongoing sportsmanship, Bangladeshi peacekeepers also handed over assorted sports equipment.

“Sports is a powerful tool that encourages peace, reconciliation and enables students to pass their leisure time in a constructive manner,” averred Lieutenant-Colonel Jahangir Allam, a Bangladeshi peacekeeper. “It develops healthy minds and healthy bodies, so we hope our small contribution encourages students to exercise regularly,” he added.