By Yiep Joseph
The Central Equatoria State (CES) Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports, in collaboration with Imagine Academy and the Embassy of Israel in South Sudan, has officially launched a 5-kilometer race for peace and development.
The event aimed at strengthening peace is scheduled to take place on July 12, 2026.
The event will commence at 6:00 a.m. at Rainbow Playground along New Site Road in Juba and is expected to attract participants from schools, communities, government institutions, and the diplomatic community.
According to the organizers, the race aims to promote physical and mental well-being, peaceful coexistence, reconciliation, and community engagement among the people of South Sudan.
Speaking to the media during the launch, CES Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Bush Buse welcomed members of the public and encouraged them to participate in the event.
He said the race would contribute to strengthening peace and unity among young people while promoting healthy lifestyles through sports.
“The race will help bring young people together and strengthen peace among communities,” he said.
The minister also expressed appreciation to the Central Equatoria State government and development partners for supporting the initiative.
Members of the public and government officials have been invited to participate in both the community and official categories, with medals set to be awarded to winners in each category.
To prepare participants for the competition, organisers announced that training sessions will be conducted every Saturday at Buluk Playground ahead of the race.
Meanwhile, the president of the Juba Local Football Association, Joseph William Lado, described the event as an important platform for promoting peace and identifying talented young athletes.
He commended the Central Equatoria State government for its continued support of youth development initiatives across South Sudan.
Lado further revealed that registration for the race is currently open at Buluk Playground and is free of charge for all participants.
Representing Imagine Academy, Piol Simon Wol said the sporting event is designed to foster peace and social cohesion through community participation.
He called on residents of Juba and the wider public to register and take part in the race, emphasizing the role of sports in building unity and encouraging positive engagement among citizens.
The Race for Peace and Development is expected to bring together hundreds of participants in a show of solidarity, peace, and commitment to community development through sport.
Sports have increasingly been used in South Sudan as a tool for promoting peace, reconciliation, and social cohesion among communities affected by years of conflict. Government institutions, civil society organizations, and international partners have organized various sporting activities aimed at bringing together young people from different backgrounds and encouraging dialogue, unity, and healthy competition.
In recent years, the Central Equatoria State Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports has intensified efforts to engage youth through sports and recreational programs as part of broader initiatives to promote peace and development. The upcoming 5-Kilometer race for peace and development is expected to contribute to these efforts by providing a platform for community interaction, talent identification, and awareness on the importance of peaceful coexistence.
The event comes at a time when stakeholders continue to advocate for greater youth participation in nation-building, recognizing that young people constitute the majority of South Sudan’s population and play a critical role in fostering lasting peace and development across the country.