Rumbek Youth Cultural and Sports Festival

Juba, 23 September, 2013

Rumbek Youth Cultural and Sports Festival
27 – 29 September 2013

Press Release

Norwegian People’s Aid and RYSA will be conducting a youth and cultural festival in Rumbek lakes state. Rumbek festival is a cooperation between local state authorities, RYSA (Rumbek Youth and Sports Association) and NPA – Norwegian People`s Aid is aimed at conducting activities which will reduce tension and build better mutual understanding, community harmony and cooperation among the youths groups of Terekeka in Central Equatoria State, Mvolo Western Equatoria State and Lakes State.

The Youth and cultural festival is to further the development of the already existing cooperation between Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA)and RYSA, where RYSA in running cultural groups, football leagues and other sporting activities for children and youth in the Greater Rumbek area.

RYSA programme was formed in September 2008 as a continuation of what had been started in Kakuma refugee camp in northwest of Kenya where sports and community improvement activities were used to reduce tension and build better mutual understanding, community harmony and cooperation among the youths.

RYSA sport and community development activities are organised in Rumbek city, Lakes state, South Sudan. RYSA consist of among other sports and cultural groups. 253 football teams, among them 82 girl’s teams, organizing almost 6000 children and youth in the Rumbek area

Mr. James Boboya Edimond, festival spokesperson and Programme Coordinator for NPA highlighted that:
- “The Cultural and sports festival in Rumbek is expected to draw 10 000 participants from the 27 – 29 September 2013. The aim is to exhibit RYSA and the greater Rumbek area as a hub for sporting activities, and wil also draw on the connected areas, in the conflict triangle of Rumbek and southwards, to promote peace and exchange. Participants as far south as Terekeka (with wrestlers), Mvolo (with cultural groups) and Yirol (with wrestlers) will also participate.”

- “NPA and RYSA believe that this festival will have the strength to show another picture of Rumbek and Lakes, other than a conflict area. Bring youth together, in friendly sporting activities, and also showing them their local cultures, with dance, singing and drama-groups will bring pride, unity and an understanding and respect for cultural diversity in the Lakes.

This will be the fresh start of a new Lakes State area – and bring unity to their diverse local communities.

Arabic Forum