N-Four FC Crowned Champions of WPDI Tournament 2024 in Thrilling Finale

N-Four FC triumphed over Diu FC, clinching the championship title of the second edition of the Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative (WPDI) Tournament 2024. The match, held at the PoC 3, ended in a dramatic penalty shootout with N-Four edging out Diu FC 7-6 after an intense 0-0 regulation time.

The Under-20 finals witnessed enthusiastic support, drawing youth from across Juba who celebrated N-Four’s hard-fought victory. N-Four FC’s win was particularly heart-stopping as Diu FC missed their seventh penalty, handing the victory to the home team.

The tournament also featured a parallel Under-20 final in Giada, where Al Salam FC from Lologo 1 narrowly defeated Kugi United from Gudele 1-0. Additionally, Everest Football Club claimed the girls’ championship, marking a successful tournament that engaged over 500 participants and attracted approximately 15,000 community spectators.

Central Equatoria State’s Director of Peace, James Wani, lauded the tournament for its role in promoting peaceful coexistence among communities. He emphasized the importance of sports as a means to foster friendship and unity, extending gratitude to WPDI and its partners for their commitment to reshaping the lives of at-risk youth, including former gang members.

“Football builds relationships and broadens connections,” Wani stated, highlighting the tournament’s role as a platform for understanding and collaboration among diverse communities. He called on WPDI to persist in their sports initiatives across the region.

Bush Buse of WPDI echoed Wani’s sentiments, reiterating the tournament’s mission of creating harmony and showcasing local football talent. “Whether you win or lose, we are all winners of the Whitaker Peace Tournament,” he asserted, emphasizing the values of respect and compassion that underpin the initiative.

Juma Lyon, captain of Al Salam FC, reflected on the profound impacts of the tournament, noting how it had united young people in Lologo and cultivated a sense of freedom and security within the community. He urged WPDI to expand the tournament to include older youth, ensuring the spirit of peace through sports continues to flourish.

The successful conclusion of the Whitaker Peace Tournament 2024 underscores the power of sports as a vehicle for social change and community healing in South Sudan. Looking ahead, WPDI and its partners remain hopeful about the potential for sports to bridge divides and encourage unity in the region.

As cheers still resonate in the hearts of participants and spectators alike, the tournament not only celebrated athletic prowess but also reaffirmed the spirit of resilience and camaraderie among the youth of South Sudan.