EASTERN EQUATORIA STATE LAUNCHES YOUTH EMPOWERMENT THROUGH SPORTS

By Lokuri Henry

Youth in Eastern Equatoria State on Sunday 18^th January marched to mark the launch of the Youth Empowerment through sports, an occasion that started with a football competition between Torit and Budi Counties at Torit Freedom Square. 

Football players march for the launch of Inter-County Sports Competition in Torit, 18th January 2015

 

In the starting match, Torit County beat Budi 2 goals to 1, in the Inter-County Sports Competition that was launched on Sunday. The Sports Competition that kicked off, under the theme; “Empower the youth to build the Nation” is an initiative of the State Government through the Ministry of Youth and Sports with support from UNICEF and Forest Whitaker.

 

Mawa Emmanuel, who played for Torit County, scored the first goal against Budi within the 28^th minute of the first half. While the second goal was scored by Michal Sebit within the 3^rd minute of the second half. However Tonny Iko, a player for Budi County was able to counter one the goals when he scored one goal against Torit County within the 26^th minute of the second half. The two teams ended the match at 7:00 PM yesterday with a score of 2 goals against 1.

Eastern Equatoria State Governor Louis Lobong Lojore said during the launch of the Inter-County Tournament that the winning team will be given a gift.

The Acting Director General of the State Ministry of Youth and Sports Edvige Grato Lahtoum told press that the Sports Competition is a yearly plan of the ministry to bring youth from all the Counties plus the corridors. According to Edvige, the objective of bringing the youth together is to build peace among youth, bring unity confidence, cooperation and nationalism among youth.

She said female footballers’ teams have been received from Budi, Torit, Ikwoto and other Counties and that a program would be announced later for the female football competition.

The sports competition will involve football, volleyball and athletics which will end on the 31^st of January 2015.

According to Edvige, the State Government through the Youth and Sports Ministry has injected 69,000 South Sudanese Pounds for the Sports Program, UNICEF which is supporting youth activities in the State has given 30, 000 South Sudanese Pounds and Forest Whitaker which supports youth on peace programs has given 20,000 South Sudanese.

The matches for today morning, Kapoeta South will play with Kapoeta North at Lobong Football field, which is Located at Torit West; meanwhile Magwi verses Ikwoto at the Torit Freedom Square. While the evening matches; Pageri will play with Kapoeta East at Lobong Football field while Lopa Verses Torit County at Freedom Square.