I will promote peace building through athletics, says Morwel
Majok Ayii Morwel who is vying for the presidency of the South Sudan Athletics Federation (SSAF) has said he will utilize sports to promote peace building in the country.
He told journalists on Wednesday that once he is elected SSAF President on January 28th, he will immediately use athletics competitions to complement efforts to build peace.
“We are now in peace process in the country, with the support of athletics which is known as the mother of sports we will engage South Sudanese for peace, we will support the government in peace building,” said Morwel during press conference Imperial Hotel in Juba.
The transitional unity government made of parties which signed the 2018 revitalized peace deal is eager to achieve durable and sustainable peace as the country heads into election cycle in early 2024.
“Sports and in particular athletics has power to unite people at the national and local levels, sports is an influential voice to communicate message of peace, we will support in practical terms the effort of the government to bring peace,” he said.
Morwel, 37 and currently employed with the Bank of South Sudan is seeking to succeed Samir Khamis.
He disclosed that he aims to improve training standards for athletes upon assuming the presidency.
“We will offer technical training to coaches both in the country and outside, sporting cadres are admired by many people who in turn become ambassadors of peace and unity,” he said.
Lino Garang, a member of SSAF said Morwel supported South Sudanese athletes to train in neighboring Uganda and Kenya at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
