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WORLD YOUTH FESTIVAL 

SOCHI - Ugandan youth attending the ongoing World Youth Festival in Sochi are optimistic that the World Friendship Games slated for September would be a great opportunity for the young people in the world to network and find solutions to the challenges they face.

Davis Akampurira, head of the Ugandan delegation at the Sochi event on Monday said it is critical that young people directly participate in finding solutions that affect them.

He added, “Uniting the youth movements of the different states, shows that the host country cares about the future of our countries, shaping the peaceful prosperity of our people.”

Alexey Sorokin (L), CEO World Friendship Games Organizing Committee speaking to participants attending a sideline forum about World Friendship Games, an international multi-sport commercial summer sports tournament to be held in Moscow and Ekaterinburg on September 15 to 29, 2024. This happened during The World Youth Festival in Sochi, Russia. Russia, Sochi on March 05, 2024. (All Photos by WYF)

Uganda has 30 youths participating in the World Youth Festival which has attracted over 20,000 participants from 180 countries.

"Friends can be there when having a good time but they can also be there when having challenges or a bad time. Hosting the World Friendship Games here is an opportunity for young people and also people across the world. It is an opportunity for us to network and see how to find solutions to help young people," he said.

Alexey Sorokin, Chief Executive Officer of the World Friendship Games Organizing Committee told reporters on Monday that the 2024 games will be held from September 15 to 29 in Moscow and Ekaterinburg. "We expect more than 6,500 participants from around the world, with 283 sets of medals to be contested in 36 sports programs.

Twenty-four of the most competitive and training facilities in two cities will be involved," Sorokin said.

Ugandan Shadir Musa Bwogi (R) in action with the Russian Khariton Agrba, 2019 European Games silver medalist (L) during a boxing competition for the title of the mandatory challenger for the IBA Professional Belt at 67 kg at The World Youth Festival in Russia, Sochi - March 05, 2024.

Akampurira said the ongoing festival provides an opportunity for Ugandans to learn the technological advances elsewhere to improve the conditions back home.

"We are here to benefit from the modern technology and to see how we can use it in the areas of adding value to agriculture. We know agriculture is the backbone of our country. We also want to see how we can engage youth in agriculture because that is the only way to get out of poverty," Akampurira said.

The festival which started on March 1 and ends on March 7 is held under the theme, " For Peace, Solidarity and Social Justice".

The festival consists of cultural exchanges, sports competitions, an exhibition, joint training, and volunteer activities.