(Juba) – The Monyeimiji Football Tournament, a popular annual sports event organised under the Juba Local Football Association, began on Saturday in the South Sudanese capital with a strong message of unity, peace and youth development.
The opening match was played at the Buluk Football Playground and was witnessed by enthusiastic supporters from the Eastern Equatoria based Monyeimiji community and beyond.
The event marks the official start of one of the most anticipated local sports competitions, with young players from various Monyeimiji teams taking part.
The tournament aims to provide a platform for athletic excellence and also preserve and celebrate cultural identity and communal harmony.
Spectators were treated to traditional dances and music performances showcasing the cultural richness of the Monyeimiji people.
Addressing the crowd, South Sudan’s Vice President for the Service Cluster, Josephine Joseph Lagu, praised the community’s continued efforts in using sports to promote peace and development.
She commended the organisers for investing in the youth and using football as a tool to bring people together, saying, “This tournament is a shining example of how culture and sports can play a key role in peacebuilding and in shaping the future of our young people.”
The Chairperson of the Monyeimiji Community, Nartisio Lokule Manir, said the tournament is held in honour of the community’s founding fathers and aims to continue the legacy of unity and mutual respect they left behind.
He described the event as more than just a football tournament, saying it represents a commitment to the values that have long held the community together.
