The South Sudan Football Association (SSFA) in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Impact Health Organization (IHO), today on the sideline of the ongoing South Sudan Women’s Cup 2023/2024, organized a one-day workshop for the teams participating in Juba zone.
The training is organized under the theme: ‘LET US UNITE’ to promote human rights, gender equality, peacebuilding and educate ourselves on sexual reproductive health through sports.
Speaking during the opening session, the Chairperson of the SSFA Competitions Committee, Mr. Wiyual Lampouch congratulated the teams for representing their states in the tournament. He said the tournament is not only about football on the pitch but also engaging in important pieces of training to learn new things and benefit from each other.
He added that the training will help players both on and off the pitch, hence the association together with its partners initiated the one-day training to educate the players on sexual reproductive health.
Speaking on behalf of the SSFA President, Mr. Lampouch extended the association’s appreciation to UNFPA, IHO, and other supporters in general for rendering their partnership to support and promote women’s football in the country.
Meanwhile, in his keynote speech, the SSFA Secretary General, Mr. Victor Lawrence Lual condemned gender disparity in any society, especially during sports activities, saying SSFA does not accept it in any setting.
He underscores that the major aim of organizing the training is to enlighten the players on human rights, gender equality, and peacebuilding and to educate them on sexual reproductive health through sports. He, therefore, urged the participants to use their platforms and echo their voices to educate others on these topics.
Mr. Lawrence also called on the players to act as role models and use their experience to mentor upcoming and younger players and support the effort to end Gender Based Violence in their communities.
He thanked the United Nations Population Fund in partnership with Impact Health Organization for supporting SSFA towards its mission to ensure gender equality and women’s inclusivity in sports, assuring the association’s commitment to continue promoting human rights, gender equality menstrual health hygiene through sports.
The South Sudan Women’s Cup 2023/2024 is the Third Edition, it comprises two groups; Group A is taking place in Aweil, Northern Bahr el Gazal with four teams (Tiger United from Aweil, Holy Family FC from Rumbek and Mayerdit Wounded Heros FC of Kuajok. Meanwhile, Group B in Juba, Central Equatoria State includes; Munuki FC from Juba, Yei Joint Stars, Nile Eagle FC from Bor, Al Wehida FC of Yambio, Young Star FC from Torit, and Bentiu City. The tournament is supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in partnership with Impact Health Organization (IHO), Raba Taxi has also partnered with SSFA to support this tournament.
