As part of UN strategy of supporting non state actors (NSA), in this case working with NGOs that focuses on ex-combatants, to minimise any incidence of violence during the forthcoming elections at Waterloo and other communities where there are many ex-combatants a four days of friendly soccer competition was held among ex-combatants at the Bassa Town football field. The friendly gala started on the 5th May 2012 and ended on the 13th May 2012.

Activity: Neutralising potential threat

Sub activity: Soccer Competition

IP: Action Aid International Sierra Leon e

Sub grantees: Campaign for Good Governance, Fambul Tok and SLYEO

Background

As part of UN strategy of supporting non state actors (NSA), in this case working with NGOs that focuses on ex-combatants, to minimise any incidence of violence during the forthcoming elections at Waterloo and other communities where there are many ex-combatants a four days of friendly soccer competition was held among ex-combatants at the Bassa Town football field. The friendly gala started on the 5th May 2012 and ended on the 13th May 2012. The soccer competition targeted eleven communities of ex-combatants within the Waterloo town ship. The teams that participated in the competition included Go Draw FC, Home Base 1, Kola Tree, Home Base 3, Raggae Boys, Area Friends, Kapello, Banga Farm, Laspalmas, Home Base 2 and Ruff Riders. The gala was under the supervision and guidance of the Waterloo Football Association.

Fixtures

Team building sessions

Sessions were held with key stakeholders including representatives from the community leaders and the ex-combatants. These sessions led to the formation of a committee of the two groups. This committee serves as the clearing house for all matters relating to the football gala and other activities of the project. A task force was introduced (made up of mostly women) to ensure fans and spectators before, during, and after, the matches, to ensure that the matches are orderly. That is maintenance of discipline, law and order. All the games were managed under the leadership of the committee.

Peace messages

Peace and non-violent messages form part of the soccer gala. Special peace messages were broadcast after every ten minutes through the PA system. Comedians were also used to spread messages of non- violence with humour. The audience was regularly informed about non-violent elections and the need to vote during the November 2012 elections. The message advised all assembled to avoid violence.