Sports Unite People for Peace

　Twenty-year old Chika Sydney Edward Joshua/has been playing football/for only six years.// Nevertheless,/he’s skilled enough/to play for the South Sudan “Under-23” team.// “I love soccer.// Soccer unites people,”/he says.//
　Joshua and his teammates held an intra-squad exhibition match/on National Unity Day,/which focused on social cohesion/in the peace process in South Sudan.// It was the highlight of National Unity Day.// Players tackled each other/in a fierce competition,/while sharing a message of peace and unity/with the fans.// After Team A won,/the players of both teams embraced each other,/sharing their love/for the game and for their country.//

　After the game,/the audience clapped, danced and sang messages of peace/with a local music legend/who performed a series of songs about peace.//
　In a post-game interview,/Joshua gave his impressions of his country.// “I yearn for the people of South Sudan/to forgive each other.// It’s time/to be one nation.// We are comrades.// Let us forget/about the past civil war.// When I look at our country,/the outlook is bright.// If only we can forgive one another,/then this country will grow to be a better place for everyone,/including visitors from all over the world.// They will come here and have fun.// When they go back home,/they will say,/‘Wow,/South Sudan is a splendid place!’”//

　Many South Sudanese are more optimistic/about the future/with the signing of a revitalized peace agreement.// They hope/that a permanent end to the violence/will encourage investment in development.// That will also give people the chance/to reach their full potential.//
　The government has given support/and celebrates peace through sports.// “The benefits of sports in uniting people/are tremendous,”/said the vice-president.// “Sports bring people together/across culture,/language,/gender and social class.”//

　National Unity Day,/modeled after the Japanese National Athletic Meet,/was originally sponsored by JICA.// It’s a special event/held once a year/for local athletes.// Over 360 selected athletes participate.// Sports activities,/such as soccer, volleyball and track-and-field,/are held.// The games are exciting and conducted/in the spirit of fair play.// The competition venues are filled with spectators.//
　Joshua says,/“Our country had been at war/until 2018.// So,/we had difficulty in succeeding.// Now whenever I see sports stars,/I think/I can be one of them.// I have passion/and I’ve set myself a target,/a dream to achieve.”//