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"Twic Olympics" - Olympic Games in war zones
"Sport for peace and development – a win-win for every child“ – this is the motto behind this unique Olympic Games
concept. February 2004 represented the fourth time that youths in the Sudanese town of Pannyok
had come together to compete in the "Twic Olympics" in the middle of the turmoil caused by the civil war. Acuil Banggol heads the
organization called SUPRAID and is responsible for the
Games.
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Acuil, we are interested in
finding out more about the Twic Olympics. Please tell us a little bit about the background of this unusual sporting
event!
The six districts that make up the Twic region have a very explosive past and bloody conflict has been all too present in the
past. We decided we would make it our objective to turn this conflict into
activity that was sporting and fair. From the very beginning it has been our hope that the young people
of the region would prefer to express their competitive nature as part of sport rather than letting themselves be used by the warring factions to fight against each
other.
Why did you choose sport as a means of bringing young people together and
contributing to reconciliation? |
Sporting activity offers an excellent way of positively promoting characteristics such as
self-confidence, discipline and teamwork. We want to see fair competition in which the losers congratulate the
winners! Indeed, organizational skills and team spirit is also promoted. As a basketball player with international
experience, I know that cooperation is needed to win a game and to make one's mark as a valuable member of a
team.
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Acuil, how are the Games organized and who plays a role?
Twic County has a total population of over 500,000. The Games are organized by six
Payams, that is, the communities and administrative units of the SPLM (Sudan Peoples Liberation
Movement). Thanks to the wheat supplied as part of the World Food Program (WFP), it's possible to give food rations to those taking part. In addition to
this, the communities and in particular the hosts provide the athletes with meat stock. Overnight accommodation is offered to the guest
teams. With the help of this support, the guests are able to look after
themselves. Once the Games are over, people make their way home by foot and this often involves distances of over 60
kilometres. Even rivers have to be crossed.
Which sporting events take place and who takes part in them?
A number of sporting events were offered for the 2004
Games: Track and field (1500 m, 800 m, 200 m, 100 m, 4 x 100 m relay, 4 x 400 m relay and long
jump), football, volleyball, tug-of-war and javelin. The Games also encompassed cultural dance and
song. |
Those taking part are divided into two age
groups: 14s and over including adults, and children up to the age of 14. Male and female athletes are represented in both
categories. The number of female athletes taking part in the Games plays an important part in determining the overall winner of the
Games. Payams with a particularly large number of female competitors are awarded extra
points.
How many people take part in the Games?
We estimate that around 3,000 people take part in the
games, 2,000 of whom spend their nights in the camps and take part in the Games. Because their isn't enough accommodation and money
available, it's difficult for most of the spectators travelling from distant districts to stay for longer than a day.
What have you and the Games achieved? What has been your greatest success?
It has provided a way of establishing social
contact between the young people, creating mutual respect and giving them a little bit of
enjoyment. Youths, relations, guardians and dignitaries from religion and the local community come together to support their
teams. This sporting event is a magnet for all sections of society and is used as a forum for entering into dialogue about economic
development, reconciliation, social problems and illnesses such as AIDS. The entire region looks forward to this annual
event, which provides a shimmer of hope in the midst of constant conflict. There is also real competition between the Payams for the
privilege of hosting the Twic Olympics in the following year.
How can people help you in your work?
Our
organization doesn't have the facilities necessary to bring our workers closer to the
project. It's difficult to intensify the spread of the project and the benefits that it
provides. We also have a lack of resource, especially sporting equipment. We would like to make it possible for local youngsters to see the real Olympic Games in Athens on the TV using
satellite technology and solar energy. Another form of support would be an exchange program for young people! Young people from Germany could visit
Twic County and help in training and supporting our local youngsters!
What's your message to young people in Germany?
That all children should be treated
fairly and solidarity promoted today - for a peaceful world tomorrow!
[Brot für die Welt / Nationales Olympisches Komitee / Deutsche UNESCO-Kommission (Hg.): Fair Play for Fair Life 2004, Stuttgart 2004]
More texts on the subject of "Sport and preventing violence":
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