In the heart of the Niger Delta, where social, political, and cultural conflict has drowned our hopes for peace for a long time, a journey began. A journey fuelled not by politics or power, but by the language of sports aimed at engaging young people in meaningful activities that foster mutual respect and understanding. Sports offered a pathway towards peaceful coexistence, a more inclusive society to foster development. This was the impact of the UNODC’s implementation of the Line Up Live Up programme designed to build positive relationships and drive the development of coastal communities in the Niger Delta which have left great impacts extended far beyond the sports field.
The UNODC Global Initiative on Youth Crime Prevention through Sport advocates for the strategic utilization of sports to tackle recognized risks and protective factors associated with youth violence and crime. Additionally, it assists in implementing customized sports-oriented approaches to thwart youth victimization and deter recruitment by organized criminal groups, including gangs and violent extremist organizations.
Engaging with young people to drive development through sports has been an eye-opening and impactful experience for me. It's remarkable how such a simple tool as sport can be incredibly effective in promoting peace and development in coastal communities of the Niger Delta. Beyond the evident positive effects on the lives of young individuals—ranging from behavioural improvements to the development of life skills and resilience against crime—sport has also fostered teamwork, allowed them to discover their strengths, and facilitated positive relationships between parents and children, as well as within the communities at large, as attested by their parents and community leaders.
Sports fields became grounds that sparked conversations, friendships were forged, and bridges were built between young people and communities paving the way for a new era of peace. This has breathed life and joy into the faces of young people in these communities, as they express excitement and happiness in their participation in these sporting activities. For these communities, it has provided a sense of inclusion, which is crucial for fostering peace and community development. By engaging young people in activities that promote teamwork, respect, and understanding, sports have become a powerful tool for bridging the gaps that fuel conflict and fostering a culture of peace.
Through these initiatives, sports have inspired a grassroots movement for peace in coastal communities marred by violence and division becoming a catalyst for positive change in coastal communities around the world.
As we celebrate the theme of Sport for the Promotion of Peaceful and Inclusive Societies, we remember that the journey towards peace begins with a single step – or a single serve, a single stroke, or a single goal. In the hearts and minds of young people in coastal communities around the world, the transformative power of sports leads the way towards a brighter tomorrow, where tides of peace embrace everyone.
We celebrate the transformative power of sports in promoting unity, resilience, and reconciliation. the spirit of sport continues to inspire a generation to envision a world where peace reigns supreme.
An inspiring story as told by Ogbo Ebi Praise, Line Up Live Up (LULU) Coach in Bayelsa State