Honorable Kenji Wakamiya, Japan’s Deputy Minister of Defense, liked what he saw when he on Monday 16 January visited the University of Juba and its football field to inspect the renovation work being carried out by UNMISS. The sports facility has remained closed since February 2012, but shall shortly resume its former glory.

“The purpose of this visit is to check on the status of the engineering work on this ground. This soccer ground is for the students of Juba. Sports can connect the hearts and minds of players, just like music”, the deputy minister said.

The UNMISS Japanese engineering contingent has been leveling the pitch and removing gravels since last week to improve the football field for the university students.

The renovation of the university’s football field is part of the “Sports for Peace” project, an initiative planned by the UNMISS Communications and Public Information Section. The project aims to promote peace through sports so students from different universities within Juba can come together and play friendly matches.