Youth

6 Nov 2014

Youth

Playing for Peace: Sport in Darfur

While the conflict in Darfur continues, sport-based initiatives are bringing together community members from across the region in a spirit of camaraderie and friendship.

By Emadeldin Rijal

Sport has been universally acknowledged as a valuable tool in settling differences between communities and promoting a spirit of peaceful coexistence. In Darfur, sport has taken on a special significance in recent times. The ongoing conflict in the region has displaced thousands and created rifts in the social fabric that run deep. In a bid to foster bonds of kinship, mutual respect and a culture of peace among Darfuris, the African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), in collaboration with international nongovernmental organizations (INGOs), UN agencies and the Ministries of Culture, Youth and Sports, has launched various sport-based initiatives.  

Many of these initiatives target Darfuri youth and create a neutral platform for young people to participate in events that promote teamwork, cutting across existing barriers and divisions. On 10 June 2014, one such event took place in Zalingei, Central Darfur, where more than 150 youth from different tribes in the area ran a marathon. The event was organized by UNAMID in partnership with the Central Darfur Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. “It is good to get together in the spirit of friendly competition,” says Mr. Ashraf Abbaker, a 23-year-old participant who won a medal at the marathon. He reveals that the youth in the area had a positive, enthusiastic response when they heard of the event. “We resolved to take part in the marathon and contribute to its success,” he says, adding that he hopes young Darfuris will recognize the potential of sport to transcend political, social, economic and cultural differences. 

“In most countries across the world, sport acts as a unifying factor helping bring people together despite the problems they face,” says Mr. Abdalla Khamis, Director General, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Central Darfur. “In Central Darfur, sport has proved to be effective in increasing interaction between members of different local communities and promoting a sense of solidarity among them, as demonstrated by the success of the marathon,” he adds.

Additionally, Mr. Khamis says he believes that sport-centric events are a pivotal tool for driving the peace process forward and encouraging community development in Darfur, as they engage youth who may be at risk of resorting to criminality or joining armed groups, in a positive fashion.

Another significant event that highlights this relationship between sport and community development took place in El Sereif, North Darfur, under the theme “Sports for Peace.” The event, organized by UNAMID in partnership with local sports authorities, included a football match, a volleyball tournament as well as horse racing, a popular Darfuri pastime, along with cultural programmes, concerts and traditional dance performances. It was aimed at strengthening social bonds at the grassroots level, and thousands of people from El Sereif and surrounding areas—women, men, children attended this unique occasion.

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Read the full article in the October issue of Voices of Darfur. Download the magazine (PDF) here.

On 19 May 2014, young football players from El Sereif, North Darfur, are pictured playing the final match of a football tournament organized by UNAMID as part of the “We need peace now” campaign. The event was sponsored by the Mission in partnership with local sports authorities. Photo by Albert González Farran, UNAMID.