By ibrahima yakubu
To commemorate this year’s International Youth Day, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), through its PEACECORE project, launched a youth-focused “Sports for Development” event in Kaduna.
Held on Saturday at the Ploutos Sports Complex, the event brought together Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), women’s organizations, religious leaders, and youth groups.
It aimed to highlight the role of sports in fostering peace, social inclusion, and community development in Kaduna State.
Government Endorsement and Commitment
Declaring the event open, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Sports Development, Professor Benjamin Gugong, expressed strong support for GIZ’s inclusive initiatives, particularly its engagement with PwDs.
He praised the organization for bringing hope and strength to marginalized groups, describing the initiative as a vehicle for peace and unity not just in Kaduna, but across Nigeria.
Professor Gugong noted that Governor Uba Sani is fully supportive of efforts that promote peaceful coexistence. “GIZ’s activities in the state are commendable and align with the government’s message of unity,” he said.
Emphasizing the role of sports in curbing youth involvement in social vices, Gugong stated, “There’s hardly anything more effective than sports to positively engage young people. In Kaduna, we are developing a model 0peration ‘Catch Them Young’ to steer youth away from crime and towards constructive engagement through sports.”
He added, “We’re seeing progress. The narrative is gradually changing, and in the near future, we believe even greater impact will be evident.”
The Commissioner also fulfilled a previous pledge by donating jerseys and footballs to teams that participated in the first GIZ sports event held in April 2025.
Earlier, GIZ Advisor Ms. Geraldine Aku noted that activities centered on youth, peace, and security are prioritized throughout August in observance of International Youth Day, celebrated annually on August 12.
“GIZ is in Kaduna this month to support youth through sports as a tool for development,” she said. “The PEACECORE project aims to engage young people to prevent radicalization and promote peaceful coexistence in their communities.
We view youth as ambassadors of peace and change.”
Barrister Rebecca Sako-John, a former Permanent Commissioner with the Kaduna State Peace Commission and a human rights advocate, highlighted GIZ’s longstanding efforts in the state.
“Throughout the week, GIZ has worked with young people and athletes to promote peace through sports,” she said. “The youth were trained in game ethics and taught how to use sports as a platform to campaign against radicalization, crime, and social unrest.”
She emphasized that the theme of the event—sports for development underscores the unifying role of sports in communities.
Also speaking at the event, Founder and Executive Director of FAME Foundation, Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi, said the foundation is collaborating with GIZ to promote peace through sports in Kaduna State.
“Nigeria is a diverse nation, but when it comes to sports, we are united,” she said. “That’s why we’re using sports as a tool for peacebuilding and change. When people are engaged in sports, conflict fades into the background.”
The event drew participants from four major communities: Barka-llahu, Rigasa, Kaduna North/South, and Nariya, as well as members of the PwD community.
The sporting event featured six teams, including:
Women in Sports: Team Unity vs. Team Harmony
PwDs Match: Team Peace vs. Team Inclusion
Final Match: Team Peace vs. Team Harmony
The initiative demonstrated the transformative power of sports in fostering inclusion, peace, and youth empowerment across Kaduna State.
