In a world where conflict and division often dominate headlines, sports remain one of the purest languages of unity. That truth came alive when the Debbie Kauna Foundation (DKF), under the UNDP Peace Building Initiative, organized the Adaptive Sports Peace Project in Gulak LGA in Adamawa State and Buniyadi in Yobe State in June 2025.
On the field, there were no barriers; only teamwork, laughter, and the spirit of competition. Persons with disabilities, young people, community leaders, and local peace actors stood side by side, not as labels, but as teammates. Adaptive sports created a space where diversity was not just accepted but celebrated.
Through football matches, relay games, and other inclusive sporting activities, participants experienced what it means to bridge divides:
⚽ Persons with disabilities showcased strength, skill, and resilience, redefining what inclusion looks like in action.
🤝 Youth and community members discovered the power of collaboration beyond tribe, belief, or ability.
🕊️ Peace advocates witnessed how simple acts of play can soften hardened perspectives and build bridges where dialogue alone might struggle.
But this was more than a sports event. It was a peacebuilding platform designed to foster dialogue, strengthen social cohesion, and empower local peace structures to include marginalized voices. By integrating adaptive and mainstream sports, DKF emphasized that peace is strongest when every voice and everybody is part of the movement.
The message was clear: peace is not passive. It requires action, participation, and inclusion. And sometimes, that action starts with something as simple and powerful as a game.
We remain grateful to the UNDP, our community partners, and the incredible participants who proved that when we play together, we live together.
At DKF, we believe that peace is built not only in conference halls but also on the playing fields where communities come together to imagine a future beyond conflict.
Because where we care specially, peace is not just a dream it is a shared victory.