By Sabri Dibaco
The Twic East County Youth Association Sports Organising Committee has called on communities and stakeholders to invest more in sports activities as a means of promoting peace, unity, and social cohesion among young people in South Sudan.
Speaking during the opening ceremony of the 4th Twic East Annual Education Football Tournament in Juba, the chairperson of the sports organising committee, Bol Deng Agoth, emphasised the important role sports can play in bringing youth together and reducing conflicts.
“Through sports activities, young people can promote peace among themselves when engaging in friendly football competitions. It is therefore important for communities and partners to invest in sports activities,” the statement reads.
He noted that sporting events provide a platform for interaction, teamwork, and mutual understanding among youth from different communities, contributing to peaceful coexistence.
The remarks came as the fourth edition of the annual football tournament officially kicked off in Juba, attracting teams representing various payams of Twic East County.
In the tournament’s opening fixture, defending champions Nyuak Payam suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Kongor Payam, who delivered a disciplined performance to secure all three points.
Kongor Payam captain Ajak Yuong expressed delight after his side’s victory over the reigning champions.
“I am excited about the three points we earned against the defending champions. This victory makes us proud and gives us confidence as we continue in this important tournament,” the statement reads
Despite the defeat, Nyuak Payam captain Lul Matiop acknowledged the quality of their opponents and admitted that the match was a challenging contest.
“The game was not easy. Kongor Payam prepared very well and came ready for the challenge. We will regroup and focus on our next matches,” the statement reads.
The Twic East Annual Education Football Tournament has become one of the county’s key sporting events, bringing together youth from different payams to compete while promoting education, friendship, and peaceful coexistence.
Organisers hope this year’s tournament will further strengthen unity among young people and demonstrate the positive role sports can play in nation-building and peace promotion across South Sudan.