Youth Football For Peace

                                   YOUTH FOOTBALL FOR PEACE TOURNAMENT

About This Tournament

I got the idea for a new football tournament in 2011. I was hanging out with the children at Gisimba Memorial Centre in Nyamirambo, Kigali, as we were supposed to have art classes that day. The lessons, though, didn't happen that afternoon; instead we all ended up playing soccer. This took my memory back to days, when I was younger playing soccer on the streets with my friends. The children and I formed small teams so that we could compete for the day.

Later, I came to realize that one of the main goals at Uburanga Arts Studio (the fine art studio I founded in 2010) is to inspire children. It is our dream that all children will grow up loving their skills and working hard to make their dreams come true. I then decided to work on building a small football tournament. I knew it would be a great thing to do that could bring many children together and play peacefully.

In December 2011 the first tournament was held in Nyamirambo. I was expecting it to be a small thing similar to the days playing football at Gisimba Memorial Centre. I was surprised how quickly news had spread of the tournament, bringing together 250 children that day.

Pictures from the 1st Annual Youth Football For Peace 2011, Organized by Uburanga Arts Studio

     The first tournament took place at Mumena Stadium in Nyamirambo, Nyarugenge District, Kigali, Rwanda. 8 teams of boys under 17 years old were involved. The team names included Vision Fc, Ejo Hazaza Fc, Gisimba MC Fc, Kiyovu Fc, Mount Kigali Fc, Byashara Fc, APR Fc and AS Kigali Fc.

The tournament happened in December, 2011.

Coach Bonne advising his team.

Game on.

Byashara fc.

Ejo Hazaza Fc.

Game on.

Gisimba FC.

Mount Kigali FC.

Each team received a certificate.

Cup!

Congratulations to Vision FC, the winners of the Tournament!

The second Youth Football For Peace tournament took place at Nyamirambo Regional Stadium, Nyarugenge District, Kigali, Rwanda. This time, the theme was Take Care of your Skills Before It's Too Late.

Live street art by Jean Bosco Bakunzi during the tournament.

Ten teams, both boys and girls teams, joined the tournament. The six boys teams were Centre Scolaire Amizero FC, Vision FC, Kiyovu FC, Gisimba FC, AS Kigali FC, Ejo Hazaza FC, and the four girls teams were APR A and B, Centre Scoraile Amizero FC, Gisimba FC. This event took place on Saturday with the matches kicking off from 9:00 am till 5:00pm at Nyamirambo Stadium in Kigali.

The Tournament were suppose to take a place at Mumena Stadium but we got lucky to have Nyamirambo Regional Stadium, It's even a better place.

Centre Scolaire Amizero FC walked away with the trophy on the boys side, and APR FC were the victors on the girls side. This all happened after a stiff display of tactical skills, as all teams struggled for a victory.

Trophies

Amizero CS Fc & Ejo Hazaza  Fc boys for the Final game.

APR girls Fc & Gisimba Mc girls Fc for the final game.



The day brought together both Under 13 boys and girls. The victors on the boys side came from Ruhango, while the APR girls FC from Kigali won the trophy for the girls. 

Amizero CS receives their trophy-- congratulations to their school!

I believe that investing in children could build a better future.

I also did a mural at the stadium. I was hoping to show the kids that when you do what you love, and when you do it well and with passion, you will find great benefit for your future and happiness.

Jean Bosco painting at the stadium.

On the left: Bonne, a retired soccer player. Through Vision Football Academy, Bonne helps build the future of football in Rwanda. 

Amidst fun and excitement, the day ended. The first and second placed teams were awarded with trophies, while everyone received certificates, balls, sportswear and t-shirts.

Celebration, Peace and Love!

Uburanga Arts Studio would like the thank the Federation of Rwandan Football Association (http://www.ferwafa.rw/) as well as Amitié Am Sand-Amizero (http://amizero.psweb.org/) for the support that helped make the tournament a great success.

The winning teams on both the girls and boys sides received a trophy, new football jerseys, and a football, while the second placed teams received new jerseys and a foot ball. In addition, each team that participated in the tournament received a football as well as a t-shirt and certificate of appreciation for each team member. Lastly, the players who were voted 'Most Valuable' received new training equipment. At the end of the day, all the tournament participants shared soda and had the opportunity to get to know each other.

The MVP goal keeper

I would also like to thank my staff members at Uburanga Arts Studio, the teams’ coaches who took the time to train the children, and all the players for participating in this tournament.

Feedback from the Participants of the Tournament

Gasana Aliene from Gisimba FC stated, “I’m very happy today, to have met new kids from other places but above all I enjoyed playing football since it’s my hobby."
Mucyo Didier of Vision FC said, “It was one of my best moments ever, I got new friends, gifts and played football to my best level.

Just like Gasana and Didier, all other children were very happy, not only for meeting fellow football fans and having an opportunity to play against new teams, but also for the awards they were given, such as the t-shirts, footballs, and certificates.

I believe that art heals people physically, mentally and emotionally.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Uburanga-Arts-Studio/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/uburangaarts/
                                                                                                 
                                                                                                      Written by Jean Bosco Bakunzi
                                                                                                    E-mail me at jbbakunzi@gmail.com