THE TROPHY
The Ramat Peace Football Competition Finals took place in Jos, Plateau State Nigeria, to determine the winner of the Ramadan Peace Competition. The final competition was played between John Pofi Football Academy and Dilimi Warrior’s Football Club. The match ended 0:0 and extended to Penalties shoot out.
At
the end of the penalties shoot out, John Pofi Foundation defeated Dilimi
Warrior’s 5–4 it was indeed a beautiful match.
The players jubilating
In
conclusion, the connection between sport and peace-building is that sport can
be used to achieve peace for communities in conflict, through character
formation of individuals and creation of a forum for interactions.
Apart from
reconstruction of political structures (democracy and constitution), judiciary
system, support of free market and so on, peace-building is known to adopt to
create a balanced fields for equal right and elimination of injustices which
produces conflict. Sport could help peace builders in the transformation of the
minds from violence, and stereotyping of former adversaries as enemies. How we
build harmony, order, and encourage justice within the communities is a
priority when adopting sports as a mechanism. Using sport as a tool would
certainly bring about some new attitude such as discipline, confidence,
leadership, tolerance, cooperation, and respect.
It is in this light that John Pofi Foundation
has seen that football which has a large followership with club sides having
their large fans base has the ability to integrate multiple ethnic groups,
showing a great potential for peace-building and conflict transformation.
Although conflict and violence cannot be avoided because of their ability to
stir emotions and human desire for winning, football support will bring about
the desired integration and unity that Nigeria desires. To gain in full the benefits of football
supports and followership, however, some kind of peace education is sorely
needed, education which teaches tolerance, mutual consideration, self control,
speech control, human rights, and social orders, strengthening equality and
justice among sportsmen/women and
viewers and supporters of football and other games alike.
This kind of
education will remind fans that it is all games and skill, and to accept and
endure defeat. In the same vein, winners most be taught how to show friendship
to fans of losing teams, in the spirit of win-win. Sports commentators,
analysts, sports magazines, and associations must awaken, along with
peace-builders, to attack this early warning of possible conflict. Sports
programs on the media should include before the match and after the match,
peace education to prevent any violence and engender peace and friendship.
Once more thanks to our partner's and sponsors Eat and Play Mangu,
Centre For Nonviolence and Conflict Transformation Rockford USA and the Hon.
Minister for Youth and Sports Barr. Solomon Dalung.
Pictures of “John Pofi Foundation Football Academy” at the
John pofi Foundation Office in Jos
A special reception was organized for
the players and team officials by the John Pofi Foundation, where the chief executive officer was on hand to receive them.
The CEO of JPF congratulating and encouraging the players at
a round table in John Pofi Foundation Office in Jos, Plateau State.
The CEO of JPF with the players
JPFA players
