The Christian leadership in Nelson Mandela Bay will be demonstrating unity in diversity with a multicultural football competition on Youth Day, Thursday June 16 — the 40th anniversary of the Soweto student uprising.
Sixteen teams from around the Bay and from the visiting Operation Mobilization ship, Logos Hope, which is in the Port Elizabeth harbour with its crew of 400 young volunteers from 55 different nations, will participate in the five-a-side competition at the main campus of Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University from 8.30am.
Taking place at a time when there is heightened political and racial tension in the country, it is the organisers’ desire that the event “will demonstrate to the Bay and to the nation that unity and harmony is possible between people of different cultures and language groups only when we put into practice the principles of love and acceptance of others taught and so well modeled by Jesus Christ”, says Rory Spence, chairman of the Switched On mission steering committee.
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The event is also aimed at providing a day of family fun for all. Social volleyball and a tuck shop will be available and the soccer will conclude with the presentation of trophies and prizes at 2.30pm by the ship’s captain Chris Hughes.
Fusion Sports under the auspices of Switched On are putting on the event in conjunction with the Logos Hope ship team. For more information about the event contact J P Flugel at 078 377 8154. Similar sports events will be held around the Bay in the Northern Areas and in the townships organised by the South African Sports Coalition (Sascol).
The Logos Hope, which boasts the world’s largest floating book fair, will be open to the public from June 9 to June 19.
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See our report on the ship’s visit for information about on board events for all ages. During its visit the ship will also host the 29th annual Bless The Nations missions conference on June 17 and 18 and be the venue for the missions equipping Kairos Course from June 13 to June 17.
