Zahara Football Club Players celebrating Victory over Zalzal (Photo:Sabir Deng)
Renk County, South Sudan, March 29, 2026
By Savanna Radio Sport Team
The spirit of peace and togetherness filled the atmosphere at Renk Football Stadium on Sunday as Zahara Football Club triumphed 2–0 over Zalzal in a thrilling peace-building match organized by the Hope Institute with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The one-day event was part of the ongoing Social Cohesion Project, which seeks to strengthen peace, tolerance, and unity among the youth and diverse community groups in Renk County. Bringing together hundreds of residents, the match served not only as entertainment but also as a reminder that sports can be a powerful bridge for healing and dialogue in post-conflict communities.
Hope Institute’s Program Manager hailed the initiative as a practical demonstration of how shared passions, like football, can inspire reconciliation. “When young people play side by side or face off in a friendly spirit, they learn teamwork, respect, and the value of peaceful competition,” he said.
Zahara claimed the championship after an intense encounter, scoring twice in the second half. Their victory was celebrated by jubilant fans who saw the match as a symbol of hope and cooperation beyond tribal or communal divisions. Players from both teams shook hands warmly at the end, reinforcing the event’s theme of peace and solidarity.
UNDP representatives praised the local initiative, noting that grassroots activities like these complement national peacebuilding efforts and give youth a meaningful role in sustaining stability.
The event closed with cultural performances, speeches, and calls for continued community engagement through sports and dialogue programs led by local partners.
Beyond sports, the Social Cohesion Project has also provided life-changing opportunities for local youth and women. The program recently trained 50 participants (25 male and 25 female) in vocational skills such as food processing, carpentry, welding, tailoring, and hairdressing. It further supported these trainees in establishing small-scale enterprises through access to start-up capital, empowering them to become self-reliant and contribute to the county’s economic stability.
The Hope Institute and its partners plan to expand similar peace-through-sport activities to other parts of Upper Nile State and other states later this year, aiming to deepen the culture of peaceful coexistence through inclusive community events.
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