By Foday Moriba Conteh

As part of efforts to promote peace, unity and violence prevention among young people, Caritas Freetown, with support from the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund (UNPBF) and in partnership with Catholic Relief Services (CRS), on Sunday, May 18, 2025, concluded a well-attended Inter-Community Football Match under the: “Youth in Politics and Peacebuilding” Project.

The tournament brought together participants from 16 communities across the Western Area Rural District and the Western Area Urban. The event, held at the Lakka Community Playing Field, served as a dynamic platform to raise awareness around peaceful co-existence, non-violence and youth participation in community Peacebuilding initiatives.

The highlight of the day saw two competitive exhibition matches. In the male category, the Lakka Community team narrowly edged out the UNPBF Project Participants’ team by 3 goals to 2 in a thrilling encounter. Meanwhile, in the female category, the Lakka Community team showcased their strength, defeating the UNPBF Project Participants’ female team by 2 goals to nil.

Beyond football, the event was spiced with entertainment. Popular Sierra Leonean artist, Leonus Di Genius, energized the crowd with electrifying performances during match intervals, adding a festive and unifying spirit to the gathering.

Speaking at the event, Eliza Sillah, Programme Coordinator of the “Youth in Politics and Peacebuilding” project, highlighted the initiative’s transformative impact on young people and their communities.

“This project has empowered young people to actively participate in decision-making processes and to lead meaningful community initiatives,” she stated. “Through our engagements, we have fostered strong networks between youth groups, local authorities, service providers and other stakeholders.”

She further emphasized the role of sport in driving social change, noting that activities like the inter-community football match are more than just entertainment. “This football match is not just a game it’s a symbol of unity, tolerance and peaceful engagement in action. It brings together youth from different backgrounds, including across political lines and fosters dialogue and collaboration.”

Eliza Sillah added that one of the key highlights of the project has been promoting civic engagement and intergenerational dialogue. “We’ve seen young people now actively involved in community-level governance and decision-making, bridging the generational divide and contributing to improved local governance structures,” she explained.

She concluded by expressing satisfaction with the project’s overall impact. “Bringing together 16 communities from both Western Area Urban and Rural Districts shows the reach and effectiveness of this initiative. We’ve laid the foundation for long-lasting peace and cohesion among youth and we hope this momentum will continue beyond the life of the project.”

Ishmael Bangura, President of the Lakka Progressive Organization established under the Caritas Freetown “Youth in Politics and Peacebuilding” Project has commended Caritas Freetown and its partners for what he described as a transformative initiative that has positively impacted youth in his community and beyond.

He noted that Lakka Community was once known for youth-led violence, particularly during election periods. However, with the intervention of the project implemented before, during and after the 2023 elections incidents of violence among young people significantly declined. “The situation has changed for the better,” Ishmael Bangura remarked. “Today, young people in Lakka are engaged in community decision-making processes, something that was previously reserved for older generations.”

He emphasized that the recent inter-community football match organized as part of the project was more than just a game. Ishmael Bangura described it as a powerful tool for peacebuilding, unity and youth engagement. “Bringing together 16 communities to participate in sport created a platform for dialogue, understanding and mutual respect,” he said. “It helped break down political and social divisions among youth.”

Isatu Sesay, a spectator alike commended the initiative, describing it as timely and impactful, expressing hope that such events would continue to engage the youth positively and reduce tensions during politically sensitive periods.

The Inter-community football match forms part of a broader strategy by Caritas Freetown and its partners to empower young people, encourage peaceful political participation and build stronger, more cohesive communities across Sierra Leone. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/caritas-freetown-concludes-inter-community-football-match-promoting-peace-and-social-cohesion/