The Behaviour Change and Social Cohesion Tournament continued over the weekend in Kakuma, with matches played at Kakuma Mixed Primary School and the D3 grounds as teams representing different communities came together in a competition aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence, unity and stronger relationships between refugees and members of the host community.
The tournament has continued to attract considerable interest from football enthusiasts in Kakuma, with supporters turning up in large numbers to back their respective teams and enjoy the competitive matches.
Beyond the football itself, the tournament is providing an opportunity for young people from different backgrounds to interact, develop friendships and strengthen the bonds between the refugee and host communities.
In Saturday’s encounter, Kadar FC and BNFA FC played out to a 1-1 draw after a fiercely contested match in which both sides showed determination and refused to give their opponents an easy opportunity to take control of the game.
The match attracted a sizable crowd, with fans from Kakuma Refugee Camp turning up in large numbers to support their teams and create an energetic atmosphere around the pitch.
The encounter demonstrated the competitive nature of the tournament, with both teams battling for the three points before eventually settling for a share of the spoils after neither side could find a winning goal.
Attention then shifted to Kakuma Mixed Primary School grounds in Kakuma town on Sunday, August 9, where Naath Boys, a team comprising players of South Sudanese origin, secured a 2-2 draw against host-community side Kakuma Town FC in another closely contested match.
The encounter was played under challenging conditions, with the players having to contend with intense sunshine and a rough playing surface characterised by stones and considerable amounts of dust. Despite the difficult conditions, both teams maintained their competitive spirit and produced an entertaining match that kept supporters engaged throughout the encounter.
Naath Boys made a remarkable start to the game by finding the back of the net just 57 seconds after kick-off, putting Kakuma Town FC under early pressure. However, Kakuma Town responded strongly, with Banju becoming the standout player for the host side after scoring twice during the match.
Banju’s first goal came from the penalty spot in the fifth minute, allowing Kakuma Town FC to respond quickly after conceding the early goal. He later completed his brace to keep his team firmly in contention as both sides continued to create opportunities in search of an advantage.
Naath Boys, however, demonstrated their resilience and refused to allow Kakuma Town FC to take complete control of the match, with Algher Yien producing an equally impressive individual performance by scoring twice for his side. Yien found the back of the net once in the first half and added another goal after the interval, ensuring that Naath Boys secured a 2-2 draw.
The result meant that neither side could claim maximum points, but the match provided another important example of how football can bring together people from different communities in a shared environment.
The Behaviour Change and Social Cohesion Tournament is designed not only to provide competitive football but also to use sport as a tool for strengthening relationships between refugees and members of the host community in Kakuma.
Through the tournament, players and supporters from different backgrounds are given an opportunity to interact, compete fairly and develop a better understanding of one another.
The continued participation of teams representing different communities has made the tournament an important platform for encouraging dialogue, teamwork and peaceful coexistence, particularly among young people who form a significant part of the football community in Kakuma.
As more matches are lined up in the coming weeks, the tournament is expected to continue attracting teams and supporters from across Kakuma, with football remaining at the centre of efforts to promote social cohesion, unity and peaceful coexistence between refugee and host communities.
