By Jillian D'Arcy | Development and Communications Intern
Many exciting events have been happening at PPI!
In May, just seven weeks after forming Cyprus’ first ever bi-communal boys’ basketball team, PeacePlayers International - Cyprus sent the 12 teenage boys and their coaches to Norway, where they competed for the Hansa Cup, the most prestigious tournament in Norway. The team stayed with members of the Nesodden Basketball Team, developing relationships with their host families that demonstrated how sports could overcome social barriers like language, nationality, and culture. The boys gave a presentation to two high school classes in Nesodden about how PeacePlayers is using basketball to bridge divides in areas of conflict and had the honor of participating in a show with the Harlem Globetrotters. Despite the tough competition, the team won its first two games, making it all the way to the finals, where they took second place. This marked the first time ever that a competitive team comprised of both Greek-Cypriots and Turkish-Cypriots competed in an official international tournament.
In June, 80 PeacePlayers International - Northern Ireland participants competed in an afternoon of basketball matches at PPI-NI’s Spring Jam Tournament. The goal of Spring Jam each year is to bring children together from Belfast’s divided communities to form one united team of kids from the entire city. Special guests included Tom and Phyllis Etzel from the Global Peace Foundation and Bill Fenlon, DePauw University Head Men’s Basketball Coach. Many prizes and awards, such as the Hustle and Spirit Award and the Champion4Peace Award were distributed to commemorate another successful Spring Jam and PPI-NI’s continued work to bridge divides in Belfast.
In June, before the winter holiday period, PPI-SA held one last finale in Durban. The City Extravaganza event involved all four of PPI’s city schools (Glenmore, Carrington, Berea, Durban Primary) along with former PPI powerhouse, Addington Primary. In addition to awarding teams for their performance in games and competitions, points were given out for the teams that showed the best support for their teammates, creating an electric atmosphere throughout the event. Individual honors went to the player on each team who displayed the best sportsmanship, effort, and attitude. These players were dubbed “Champions for Peace” for the day. The competition was a fantastic way to end another great term for PPI-SA.
In May, PeacePlayers Middle East celebrated the start of two new teams from Maiser (an Arab community) and Katsir (a Jewish community) with a unique twinning. At twinnings, boys and girls from typically segregated communities come together to play basketball in order to learn, play and make new friends. Five Leadership Development Program (LDP) participants helped coach the twinning, giving our older participants a chance to improve their leadership skills and make a positive impact on the next generation. The day was a huge sucess and another example of progress that can be made when we come together and open ourselves up to new people and new experiences.
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