IDPs and disadvantaged get footballs

1 Mar 2010

IDPs and disadvantaged get footballs

UNMIS handed over 610 footballs for disadvantaged and internally displaced persons (IDPs) at the Sudan Football Association (SFA) in Khartoum during a ceremony on 24 February.
Chairing the event, Khartoum Legislative Assembly Speaker Mohammed Al Sheikh Madani thanked UNMIS for its support, stating, "This contribution will encourage SFA and sports in Sudan as a whole."
Also attending was UNMIS Chief of Staff Farid Zarid, who noted that the contribution was the beginning of possible future cooperation between the SFA and the mission. "Youths are the future of our society, so any investment for the youth is simply a noble investment for long lasting peace in Sudan."
Sudan Football Association President Kamal Hamid Shaddad commented, "Though it's a modest contribution it's a good beginning. All the balls are high quality first class balls and can sustain at least the next two football seasons in Sudan".
By encouraging youth to engage in sport, it was felt the project would help build peace and improve security throughout the country. UNMIS will distribute the balls where it has a presence, while the rest will be handed over through the SFA to local football associations for distribution to IDPs and the disadvantaged.