Ateker Cup: South Sudan's Lojore calls for unity beyond football
Organisers say they hope the tournament will leave behind more than a football champion by creating a lasting platform for peacebuilding, cultural exchange and regional cooperation among Ateker-speaking communities.
Some of the action moments from the second edition of the Ateker Cup of Nations, a tournament bringing together Ateker-speaking communities from Kenya, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Uganda. (Photo by Alfred Atwau)
________________ South Sudan’s Eastern Equatoria State Governor, H.E. Louis Lobong Lojore (centre, in black sports coat), sings the national anthems alongside members of the Ateker Sports and Arts Foundation (ASAF) organising committee at Oligoi Stadium on Wednesday. (Photo by Alfred Atwau) South Sudan’s Eastern Equatoria State Governor, H.E. Louis Lobong Lojore, shares a moment with tournament players upon his arrival at Oligoi Stadium on Wednesday, escorted by Ateker Cup of Nations CEO Isaac Olupot (behind). (Photo by Alfred Atwau)
The Governor of Eastern Equatoria State in South Sudan has called for the Ateker Cup of Nations to be used to strengthen peace, unity and development among Ateker-speaking communities across national borders.
Louis Lobong Lojore made the call Soroti City on Wednesday (August 19) as he attended the closing stages of the second edition of the tournament, which brought together teams from Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia and South Sudan.
After arriving at 4:30pm, the governor was welcomed by officials from the Ateker Sports and Arts Foundation, organisers of the tournament. He then proceeded to Oligoi Stadium, where he watched a match between Uganda's Kumi side and a Kenyan team.
Some of the action moments from the second edition of the Ateker Cup of Nations, a tournament bringing together Ateker-speaking communities from Kenya, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Uganda. (Photo by Alfred Atwau)
Lojore represented South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit.
He said the Ateker Cup has demonstrated the ability of sport to bring together communities that share a common history, culture and identity.
The governor urged political, cultural and community leaders to support initiatives that encourage cross-border interaction, saying young people need opportunities to meet, compete and build friendships beyond national boundaries.
According to him, the Ateker Cup should grow beyond a football tournament into a regional platform for promoting peace, tourism, culture and economic cooperation.
Stronger cooperation among Ateker communities could also help address challenges, including insecurity, unemployment and limited economic opportunities for young people.
He said the tournament has provided an opportunity for communities from different countries to rediscover their shared identity while creating opportunities for partnerships in business, education and development.
Isaac Olupot, the chief executive director of the Ateker Cup of Nations, said the tournament was conceived as a platform for Ateker communities to celebrate their shared cultural heritage while using sport to strengthen social ties.
He said the participation of teams from four countries demonstrates that football can transcend political and geographical boundaries.
Matches of this second edition of the Ateker Cup are being played in the Teso sub-region. The tournament has entered its knockout stages, with teams competing for places in the semi-finals and Saturday's final in Soroti city.
Organisers say they hope the tournament will leave behind more than a football champion by creating a lasting platform for peacebuilding, cultural exchange and regional cooperation.
The closing ceremony is expected to bring together political, cultural and community leaders from the participating countries.