<\/p>\n
There is a reason football is the world\u2019s most popular sport: the beautiful game can be played almost everywhere.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
In Makpandu in Western Equatoria State, it used to be the word \u201calmost\u201d that defined the situation for boys and girls attending primary and secondary school, and everyone else in the community.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s when Bangladeshi peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan stepped in and up: they prepared a football ground in the area, played a friendly against the local team and handed over two sets of jerseys, footballs, a couple of trophies and a South Sudanese flag to the schools.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur club is rich now: we had nothing a few days back, but\u00a0now\u00a0we have a football field. There will be\u00a0a\u00a0few big players\u00a0coming from\u00a0here soon,\u201d promised Baraka Veko Timothee, representing Makpandu Football Club in the friendly match against the engineering troops.<\/p>\n
They have indeed endeared themselves to the local youth, including their chairperson, Moses Kinasegu Fanika.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are very happy for your support.\u00a0For as\u00a0long\u00a0as\u00a0we will\u00a0be able to\u00a0play here, we\u00a0will\u00a0remember you. I also thank you for what you have done for our schools,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The payam (administrative division) administrator, Clement Pasio Tustu, also relished the special moment. He recalled that the peacekeeping mission has also rehabilitated the vital road between Mundri and Yambio.<\/p>\n
\u201cMany thanks to all. Now we can go to Yambio in less time, and a\u00a0football field\u00a0was also very much needed. When\u00a0we were told\u00a0that a football\u00a0ground was going to be prepared, we were so happy. If you need anything, let me know. My people are ready to help,\u201d the grateful administrator pledged.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n