Nigeria Rush Host 2010 Global Peace Games

(10.15.10)

Rush Nigeria hosted the 2010 Global peace games for Children and Youths at Kano Pillars Stadium at the ancient city of Kano in northern Nigeria on Saturday September 25, 2010. Over 200 soccer playing youth attended the event.

Competition involved two age groups - the Under 13s and Under 15s. Other clubs invited to compete, by Rush Nigeria(Kano branch) included the Benfica Football Club, Zango Football Academy, YSFON and Chelsea FC. First place trophies in the U13 age group were awarded to the U13 Rush Nigeria; with YSFON receiving the runners-up. And in the U15 age group Benfica FC won first place and Rush receiving runners-up. The Peace Manifesto was read and all in attendance signed to indicate their pledge to find peaceful solutions in their daily lives and communities.

PLAY SOCCER founded the Global Peace Games in 2001 to promote a global network of children and youth committed to a culture of friendship, understanding and peace. The Global Peace Games are “grass roots” soccer games that take place under the initiative of PLAY SOCCER and are organized by organizations and communities around the world. The Games are linked by common themes and encourage children and youth to share and celebrate the values and skills they learn on the playing field through sport and to find peaceful solutions in their daily lives and communities.

The games are an initiative of civil society to show solidarity in support of peaceful solutions, nonviolence and the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for human development.

The Games recognize and demonstrate the value of sport to:
• Unite, motivate, inspire and educate • Encourage peaceful solutions and cultural understanding • Teach essential values such as cooperation and respect • Promote life-long health and social skills • Improve health

and wellbeing • Strengthen links between children and adults • Contribute to the development of communities