UNAMID, in collaboration with the local ministries of Youth and Sport, launched the Ramadan Football Tournament in different parts of Darfur. The tournament brings together teams from different communities across the region and celebrates peaceful coexistence during the holy month of Ramadan. The month-long event is targeted at enhancing the role of sport in disseminating the culture of peace across the region; it concluded last Thursday in El Fasher, North Darfur.

While the winning teams have been honoured with cups and medals, the focus of the matches has been to enhance the spirit of peaceful coexistence among local communities.

“We have benefitted a lot from the tournament,” said the captain of the Balayil team, Mr. Mohammed Abdulhameed. Mr. Abdulhameed pointed out that such events enable people to discover a sense of solidarity. “I have developed new relationships and friendships,” he added.

Mr. Ammar Yousif, captain of the Real Um Sweigo team, explained that the tournament provided an opportunity for Darfuri youth to interact closely. “Such events help inculcate a sense of closeness and harmony between and among members of the participating teams,” revealed Mr. Yousif.

UNAMID has also handed over sporting kits and equipment to the participating teams in a bid to highlight the significance of sport as a tool for promoting peace.