Nyayida Osama is one of more than 40 volleyball-playing boys and girls staying at the UN protection site in Bentiu who is being coached by Cambodian peacekeepers to promote unity and peaceful interaction between youth. The sports training is the first of its kind undertaken by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan.

We have been training for two months and have become more professional. Nowwe can compete with any country or team either regionally or internationally, but what is more important is that through sport, youth are more united, build cordial relationships and make the community live in peace,” Nyayida says.

Idle youths who are seeking shelter at the UN protection site in Bentiu have long been involved in different sporting activities supported by UNMISS and different international and national organizations to keep them busy. This, however, is the first time the peacekeeping mission is actually teaching boys and girls specific sports skills.

Buoy Kuol is another training participant who enjoys the Cambodian coaching.

“This is a great chance to benefit from UNMISS-provided training. I encourage all the youth to come and become better players like us,” he says enthusiastically.

Mr. Am Oudom is one of the Cambodian military police officers who has been training the young players. He is convinced that sports activities contribute to peace building in general and to the achievement of the UNMISS mandate in particular.  

“I am volunteering as part of the UNMISS mandate to protect civilians and build good relationships among the community as well as of our main duty in this country: to bring durable peace. Bringing all these youths together for sport is the first step to unite, reconcile and heal their broken hearts.”