MANILA, Philippines– The founder of the Football for Peace Movement has always aimed to highlight peace and hope amid war in Mindanao through sports. On its 6th year, the mission of Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Cabanlet through his project remains the same.
Members of the Philippine Marine Corps have been teaching football to the youth of Sulu to hopefully pass on to them important values like discipline. (READ: Marines' Football for Peace brings hope to Southern Mindanao)
“We want to empower the children to become leaders someday,” Cabanlet said in a phone interview. (READ: How football teaches kids from conflict areas to dream)
This year, the 6th Football for Peace festival consisted of different activities. There was a kite festival with the theme “Soar high, Sulu.”
There were also medical missions and the distribution of school kits to students.
“We did not only hold a football cup but we also provided capacity building and medical services,” Cabanlet said.
Football for Peace was the highlight of the 3-day event in Luuk town in Sulu, where 700 students participated. The festival went on from September 14 to 17.
"It will not grow without the support from other stakeholders who believe in the advocacy," Cabanlet said in Filipino.
This year, Cabanlet and his team provided medical assistance on the sidelines of the football tournament, including minor surgeries.
Cataract Foundation Philippines, Incorporated partnered with Cabanlet's group and provided free eye surgery and cataract removal. About 700 pairs of eyeglasses were distributed as well.
The medical mission also included a dental mission which treated 220 patients.
Football for Peace won a Quill Award for Communication in March 2015, in recognition of the efforts of the Philippine Marine Corps to bring out the best in young people in conflict areas. – Rappler.com