How to forge unity through sports, arts

By Machel Waikenda

Despite the youth constituency being a critical link in successive governments, perennially, they have been forced to play second fiddle in taking leadership positions.

It is indisputable, however, that youth forms the critical constituency in any nation’s development.

Right from ancient civilisations of Greece, Persia and Rome, it was the youth that secured the nation-states against external enemies. They took part in sport that brought pride in their communities. They were the heroes on whose heads patriotism was written.

Today, it is on a youthful platform that the last general election was fought and won. It is this critical mass that the Kenyan parents are worried as drug barons and peddlers target. It is concern about a potential “Lost Generation” when there is a growing number of brewers of illicit concoctions that leave young people as zombies and unschooled.

It is to these youths that all programmes must be tailored if we are to say we love our country. For in spinning the national cloth and yarn about the youth frame can we truly say we are forming the primary basis of constructive patriotism and ultimate sense of belonging.

On the other hand, culture, sports and arts are critical ingredients in offering common convergence of similar interests amongst people from diverse ethnic, racial, political and religious backgrounds. Today, nations like the United States, just like other countries populated largely by immigrants, the culture is influenced by the many groups of people that now make up the country. Therefore, the relevance of culture and sports in promoting patriotism amongst the Kenyan citizenry cannot be gainsaid.

Indisputably, Kenya is one of the few nations in the world richest in terms of cultural diversity and also ranked among the top countries in athletics and rugby sporting just to mention a few.

To forge a common goal of unity, it is indisputable that patriotism is a prerequisite in nation building.  In light of this issue, sports also significantly bind communities together where people rise above their natural diversities to forge a common agenda. The youth is a critical age group that has best manifested unity of purpose devoid of their respective ethnic, religious and political backgrounds.

Its intrinsic values such as teamwork, fairness, discipline, respect for the opponent and the rules of the game are understood all over the world and can be harnessed in the advancement of solidarity, social cohesion and peaceful coexistence.

Additionally, the collective unity that has continuously been demonstrated by the youth has been predisposed by common upshot of unemployment and poverty.

Although sport alone cannot stop or solve an acute conflict, it represents a flexible and cost-effective medium for post-conflict relief work and peace building as well as conflict prevention.

However, patriotism is effectively nurtured when all groups are presented with an opportunity in nation building in order to have a sense of belonging and embrace the feeling that they are an integral part and parcel of the decisions made.

 United Nations peace mission has successfully embraced sports projects to foster inter-ethnic tolerance and understanding as part of concerted efforts to promote unity in conflict torn countries that is now exemplary.

In 2007, the UN peacekeeping mission in Liberia (UNMIL), the IOC and UNOSDP teamed up to implement the countrywide “Sport for Peace” programme with the goal of fostering peace in the aftermath of the civil war and to educate youth about HIV/Aids issues.

The writer is Secretary of Arts and Entertainment of TNA and comments on youth affairs.