The Kaduna State Peace Commission (KSPC), in collaboration with Deutsche Zusammenarbeit (German Cooperation), held a sports competition over the weekend aimed at promoting peace and unity in Kaduna.
The event, themed “Leveling the Playing Field: Sport for Social Inclusion,” attracted persons with disabilities (PWDs), women’s organisations, religious leaders, youth groups, and many others.
The Kaduna State Commissioner for Sports Development, Prof. Benjamin Gugong, expressed his support for the State Peace Commission and its international partners during the event, commending them for including PWDs in their activities.
Gugong noted that Governor Uba Sani is committed to fostering peaceful coexistence in the state and has directed that any project related to peace and unity should be reported back to him for further support.
He stated, “You can see that everyone is enjoying relative peace today compared to years ago when such gatherings were impossible.”
The permanent commissioner with the peace commission, Barr. Rebecca Sako-John, spoke about the importance of peace and sports as tools for promoting social inclusion.
She highlighted the connection between peace and development, emphasising that development can only thrive in the presence of peace.
Sako-John also pointed out that sports serve as a unifying factor, as evidenced by the case of Nigeria.
In her welcoming remarks, the Head of the PEACECORE Project, Myriam Wedroago, highlighted the power of sports in fostering peace, solidarity, and social cohesion.
She explained that sports have an unparalleled ability to unite people from diverse backgrounds, fostering mutual respect and understanding.
“Today’s event is a testament to our shared commitment to peacebuilding and community resilience. Every sport, every competition, is an opportunity to reinforce the call for peace and unity,” she added.
According to Wedroago, the participation of youth, women, and persons with disabilities in the event symbolises a collective commitment to inclusion and sustainable peace.
She further emphasised that by investing in sports and community-based peace processes, the root causes of conflict can be addressed, promoting reconciliation.
The teams that participated in the competition included: Zaman Lafiya Amputee Club, Munatare Amputee Club (Kaduna State Amputee Football Association), Women in Peace Football Club, Women in Conflict Management Football Club, and Ikon Allah Football Club.
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