Djibo: The final of the Maracana tournament titled “Peace and Social Cohesion Cup,” organized by the Association Monde Rural (AMR) in collaboration with the Sahel Community Recovery and Stabilization Project (PCRSS), was held in Djibo. Douba FC emerged victorious over FC Saourar© in a tense penalty shootout, claiming a 1-0 victory.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the tournament’s final marked the culmination of a significant effort to foster peace and social cohesion among the youth of Djibo. Played at the former military camp, the match ended in a goalless draw during regulation time, leading to a penalty shootout where Douba FC clinched the victory. Douba FC’s triumph earned them a trophy, 75,000 francs, a set of jerseys, and a football, while the runners-up, FC Saourar©, received 50,000 francs, jerseys, and a football.
This tournament, now in its second edition, was part of the broader efforts by AMR under the PCRSS initiative. Hamed Abdourahmane, representing AMR, highlighted the tournament’s goal of promoting peace by creating a platform for interaction between internally displaced persons (IDPs) and their hosts in Djibo. The success of the event was evident in the participation and enthusiasm displayed by the teams. The final was overseen by Aboubacar Sidiki Tamboura, the first vice-president of Djibo’s special delegation, who commended the youth’s vibrant participation and the unifying power of sport.
In total, eight teams comprising IDPs, defense and security forces, and local youths participated in the event. The tournament was part of a series of activities conducted by AMR in December, which included a communal youth day, environmental protection training, gender-based violence management training, and a communal consultation framework. These initiatives are part of the PCRSS, a collaborative effort by the Burkinabe State and the World Bank Group to support communities affected by the ongoing security crisis.