To inspire children to live together in peace and to enhance the importance of peaceful coexistence, COFP brought together children from different schools to participate in the Annual Inter-Faith School Sports Festival. Ten schools participated in the one-day inter-Faith Schools’ sports festival at the Papal Ground, Kubwa Abuja on February 28, 2019 and the winners were given trophies and cash prizes for different categories of sports.
In line with the above event, the second edition of the Inter-Faith Youth Football Competition titled “Soccer for Peace”, after eight weeks of intense qualifying rounds, came to an end with the final match at the National Stadium, Abuja on April 27, 2019.Eighteen (18) Soccer Teams that were drawn from the qualifying group-stage matches played in the six Area Councils of Abuja participated in the tournament. The number of teams was increased to 18 this year, from the 12 teams that took part in the first edition, to give more coverage and sense of responsibility to greater number of FCT residents. This also afforded other teams the opportunity to participate in the tournament as well as widen the network of our youth peacebuilders.
His Eminence, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, President& Founder of COFP, in his address, maintained that “tolerance is imperative among religions for lasting peace and unity in Nigeria”. He further stressed the need for inter-faith relations, which he described as paramount to sustaining peaceful coexistence in spite of Nigeria’s socio-cultural and religious diversity.
The full time score of the final match of the tournament ended in 1-1 draw, with Babayaro FC of Gwagwalada going on to beat defending champions, Solace FC of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), 4-3 on penalties. Prizes and trophies won in the tournament were monetized. The purpose of the football competition is to use soccer as a tool for bringing together Nigerian youths for peace building and development.
