JULY 2016 - 3rd Amahoro (Peace) tournament
The July 2016 tournament was a huge success! All of us in Portland and Bujumbura wish to express our most sincere gratitude to the board of Oregon Adult Soccer Association (OASA) for sponsoring this tournament. Participants were ages 18-35 and are considered the most politically vulnerable. Each day of the tournament was attended by about 2000 people. Read the recap below to learn more about the impact it had on the participants.
Alexis found an article from a local Burundi station online. We have translated the text here, but it's cool to see it in French with a team picture here: RADIO SCOLAIRE NDERAGAKURA
Alexis found an article from a local Burundi station online. We have translated the text here, but it's cool to see it in French with a team picture here: RADIO SCOLAIRE NDERAGAKURA
Tournament Recap
written by: Ezechiel in Bujumbura, Burundi
The final game of the Amahoro tournament that began on the 19th, was held on the 23rd. The much awaited final was made up of Wasafi FC and Kavumu FC. A big number of students who are currently in the summer holidays were in attendance, cheering their favorite teams, beating drums (empty gericans) and encouraging their friends on the field. For others this was an opportunity to meet and be with others and socialize.
The match ended with a 1-0 score in favor of Wasafi FC, thus the team lifted the trophy of the 3rd edition of Amahoro Tournament in Burundi. There were jubilations in the street of the Kamenge suburbs for the team that won the trophy that has become a symbole of peace and cohesion in the area.
Asked what he thinks about the tournament, one player said, "I'm noticing a change in our communities, since {Resilience International (RI)} volunteers started to organize these tournaments. More young people get together with the sole objective of exhibiting a good game in full respect of conventional laws. It is a new approach in our areas. I have seen young people who are becoming more responsible and treat each other with dignity and respect. No one was hurt in this whole tournment. I would like to encourage {RI} to continue promoting this education through sport across the country. Live long {RI}."
From Wasabi Coach, "Not only do these tournaments offer an opportunity to train up coming soccer players, but also a unique occasion to meet many other children of the areas. Making this program a national program is an aspect that you {RI} and partners should consider and later have a Soccer League (Federation)."
Some other recommendations included that games should continue with the age catégories and also recommended that girls tournaments should also be organized.
That training session /seminars should be organized to learn more about soccer and allow young people to gain more skills to play the game better, even professionnally. They were thankful to everyone who made this event possible during the summer holidays. One referee said, "{RI} is going on well and we wish them and their partners progress in promoting peace and unity through soccer."
Those of us at RI were so pleased to hear the impact the tournament had on the participants, coaches, and community. We are especially excited that they mentioned forming a soccer league and even the girls tournament. Planning is already underway for this tournament in December. You can find out more information by visiting the planning page here.