‘Na we we’ sports for peace launched in Douala
The Local Youth Corner Cameroon (LOYOC), a peace-building organization has launched a concept called “Na- We-We Sports Jamboree”, on the theme “We play together, We di glad together” at the Lyceé Polyvalent de Bonaberi – Douala on Saturday, July 9. 2022.
The youth-led community initiative to run till August 27 aims at promoting youth dialogue and resilience building through sports in Cameroon.
” Our objectives are to see that social cohesion between IDPs from the conflict-hit Anglophone regions and host communities like Douala through this event. Improve attitude and self-esteem, skills, and behaviors to help achieve the physical, mental and social well-being of the community. This jamboree is using four sports disciplines such as football, handball, basketball, and dancing as tools to achieve the aforementioned aims. Teams of males and females will constitute both IDPs and the host community. Prevention of violent extremism is the events touch light, reason why you find teams named UNITY, SOLIDARITY, EQUALITY, LOVE, PEACE, JUSTICE, RESPECT and TOLERANCE “. Explained Christian Achaleke, Executive Director of LOYOC.
Supported by the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Institute (UNICRI) through its Global Program on the security of major sporting events and promotion of sport and its values as a tool to prevent violent extremism, the project also has the Ministries of Youth Affairs and Civic Education (MINJEC), Sport and Physical Education (MINSEP), DASH Media, KB Empower Foundation and Orange Cameroon as its pillars.
“Besides the UN, MINJEC, and MINSEP assistance, LOYOC is also partnering with young influencers from the entertainment and business sectors, diplomatic missions, corporate bodies, and development entities not only to amplify the impact of this jamboree but also to show solidarity and provide visibility. We hope to mobilize over 100,000 IDPs from across Douala and reach out to over 1 million people across the national territory.” Achaleke Leke noted.
Just like the LOYOC’s Executive Director, the Regional Delegate for Youth Affairs and Civic Education, NANG Terrestra believes the initiative deserves all the needed support to be successful in keeping the values of peace and living together.
“Sport unifies. I congratulate the organizers because it will permit the young IDPs to enjoy the values of life once more. It will as well enable them to abstain from crime and illegal actions. Sport is there to help bind people to live in harmony. This is what we expect to see at the end of this youth’s sports jamboree grouping IDPs and persons from the host community Douala.” NANG Terrestra noted.
The jamboree expected to end on August 27 will have at least a football, handball, or basketball match every weekend, accompanied by a dance competition. At the end of the tournament, participants will be awarded attestations of participation, medical consultations from their partner Whaspito
and must have benefited from the psychological impact the jamboree is expected to bring.
LOYOC is focused on promoting the empowerment of youths in the peace-building domain, as well as promoting sustainable development with the application of its Positive Youth Development Approach.
