![South Sudan's traditional wrestler Alijok Nhial (R) from Yirol reaches out to Majolot Mayom Macher from Terekeka as they compete in a peace match during national championships in Juba, South Sudan February 1, 2020. [Photo by REUTERS]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/e1f86f7a797d0fb84e30faf334239290.jpg?resize=800%2C511&ssl=1)
The wrestling was organized by the Jonglei State ministry of culture, youth, and sports in collaboration with the UN Refugee Agency,
The wrestling aimed to promote a culture of peace and unity among the youth in Jonglei State.
The match drew hundreds of spectators including government officials.
The match saw giant wrestlers from Kampala Road emerging victorious over their rivals Greenland in Bor town of Jonglei State.
The game ended 4:6 in favor of Kampala boys who won a big bull after they were crown champions of Sunday’s peaceful match.
Speaking during the opening of the wrestling for peace match in Bor town on Sunday, Gabriel Kuany Bior, Director of Ministry Culture, Youth and Sport said wrestling has become a popular unifying factor in bringing young people together to build strong social cohesion and Reconciliation.
“This is a wrestling for peace which brings all young youth together to know themselves in order to stop violence in Jonglei State,” he said.
“If youth are play in this activity, this issue of cattle raiding and child abduction will stop since they will be very busy in sports activities like wrestling.”
Viola Makame, UNHCR head of field officer in Bor urged the youth to celebrate today while engaging themselves fully to find ways to end this cycle of violence in Jonglei State.
“In Jonglei State, we are tired now of violence, let us focus on issues, especially the development issues and as I said before in Jonglei, we have a lot of potential, let us concentrate on the potential and leave alone the fight. Let us leave our differences because we have a lot of opportunities,” said Viola.
She believed the wrestling would reduce the cycle of violence in the state as well as end cattle raiding, and women abduction.
