What was billed as a football tournament final in Okwalongwen Sub-county, Dokolo North County, on Sunday turned into an important accountability forum as area MP Joseph Jones Ogwal used the gathering to engage residents on youth livelihoods, peace, roads and electricity.
Ogwal, who attended the finals at Okwalongwen Primary School, urged young people to form vegetable-growing groups, promising to support them with seeds, while pledging to follow up with government agencies on road improvements and the extension of electricity to underserved communities.
Ogwal encouraged youth groups to venture into vegetable farming, promising to support organised groups with seeds to help them establish the projects. He also urged residents to use sports as a tool for bringing communities together rather than allowing competition to create divisions.
Beyond sports, the legislator said he would follow up on some of the challenges raised by constituents, particularly the state of roads and access to electricity.
He pledged to engage relevant government authorities on improving roads in the area and pursue the extension of electricity to communities that remain without access.
The tournament, which began a week earlier, brought together teams from five parishes—Okwalongwen, Abalang, Akwanga, Aluti, and Adagnyeko. A veteran team was also included to balance the number of participating teams.
In the girls’ final, Akwanga defeated Okwalongwen 1-0 to lift the title while the boys’ final results are yet to be released by the organisers of the tournament. The participating teams and players received various prizes at the conclusion of the tournament.
The tournament provided an opportunity for residents to interact with their area MP while also using football to promote social cohesion and community engagement.