Sports For Peace
Light For The World, South Sudan, 2018
South Sudan is the world’s youngest country. Soon after gaining
independence in 2011, fighting broke out between the government and rebel
forces, compounding the problems already present after decades of civil war
while part of Sudan: famine, extreme poverty and a chronic lack of
infrastructure. For several years, as South Sudan’s civil war continued,
and hundreds of thousands of people were forced to flee the violence,
ethnic tensions found in rural areas were brought to the capital Juba and
to camps like Mahad, which is home to over 7,750 internally displaced
persons or IDP’s. Fuelled by stories about ethnic clashes back home, young
men from different tribes regularly battled each other in the camp, and
although they fought with sticks instead of guns, serious injuries were not
uncommon.
In 2014, to diffuse the situation, Light For The World,
an INGO, set up a sports program called “Sports For Peace”. Aimed at
averting ethnic and tribal tensions characteristic in Mahad, the program
brought together young men from different tribes who lived in the camp,
and, through sports, tried to unite them and have them set an example to
the entire community. The Sports For Peace Football Team members not only
work together on the field. They also help people with disabilities to
build their shelters, and they conduct Safety Patrols at night to deter
criminals from entering the camp. The football team, in particular, proved
so popular and successful that several of its players have been selected
for South Sudan’s national team.
Sports For Peace football team member, Mahad IDP Camp, Juba, South Sudan, 2018.
Sports For Peace football team during a training match, Mahad IDP Camp, Juba, South Sudan, 2018.
Sports For Peace football team members, Mahad IDP Camp, Juba, South Sudan, 2018.
Sports For Peace football team during a training match, Mahad IDP Camp, Juba, South Sudan, 2018.
Sports For Peace football team during a training match, Mahad IDP Camp, Juba, South Sudan, 2018.
Sports For Peace football team member, Mahad IDP Camp, Juba, South Sudan, 2018.
Sports For Peace football team during a training match, Mahad IDP Camp, Juba, South Sudan, 2018.
Sports For Peace football team member, Mahad IDP Camp, Juba, South Sudan, 2018.
Sports For Peace football team member, Mahad IDP Camp, Juba, South Sudan, 2018.
Sports For Peace football team during a training match, Mahad IDP Camp, Juba, South Sudan, 2018.
Sports For Peace football team member, Mahad IDP Camp, Juba, South Sudan, 2018.
Sports For Peace football team during a training match, Mahad IDP Camp, Juba, South Sudan, 2018.
Sports For Peace football team during a training match, Mahad IDP Camp, Juba, South Sudan, 2018.
Goalkeeper, Sports For Peace football team member, Mahad IDP Camp, Juba, South Sudan, 2018.
Sports For Peace football team member, Mahad IDP Camp, Juba, South Sudan, 2018.
Sports For Peace football team member, Mahad IDP Camp, Juba, South Sudan, 2018.
Sports For Peace football team during a training match, Mahad IDP Camp, Juba, South Sudan, 2018.
Sports For Peace football team during a training match, Mahad IDP Camp, Juba, South Sudan, 2018.
Sports For Peace football team member, Mahad IDP Camp, Juba, South Sudan, 2018.
Sports For Peace football team during a training match, Mahad IDP Camp, Juba, South Sudan, 2018.
Sports For Peace football team member, Mahad IDP Camp, Juba, South Sudan, 2018.
Sports For Peace football team during a training match, Mahad IDP Camp, Juba, South Sudan, 2018.
Sports For Peace football team member, Mahad IDP Camp, Juba, South Sudan, 2018.
Sports For Peace football team during a training match, Mahad IDP Camp, Juba, South Sudan, 2018.
Sports For Peace football team members, Mahad IDP Camp, Juba, South Sudan, 2018.
Sports For Peace football team fan, Mahad IDP Camp, Juba, South Sudan, 2018.