The Bishop of Soroti Catholic Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Eciru Oliach has called on the Ateker people to use sport as a tool for promoting peace, unity and socio-economic transformation, saying the time has come for communities that share a common heritage to build bridges and live together in harmony. Speaking during the launch of the second edition of the Ateker Cup of Nations,in Soroti City, Bishop Eciru said the tournament should go beyond competition and trophies to become a platform for strengthening brotherhood, sisterhood and peaceful coexistence among Ateker communities spread across East Africa.
The games are scheduled to run from August 16, to 22, 2026 with Soroti hosting teams from Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia and South Sudan. Addressing guests under the theme “Building Bridges, Building Champions,” the bishop urged participants to become ambassadors of unity and reconciliation. “By the time you leave here, make sure you know that you are a builder of bridges and ready to build champions,” he said. “We must all become champions of the spirit of the Ateker Cup of Nations and champions of the Ateker people.”
Bishop Eciru noted that for decades, many Ateker communities have longed for opportunities to come together and strengthen social bonds, adding that the tournament presents a unique chance to foster understanding and cooperation among people with shared cultural roots. Drawing from Scripture, he cited Psalm 133, which speaks about the blessings that flow when brothers and sisters live together in unity.“The Ateker Cup of Nations is not only about celebrating talent,” he said. “It is about promoting brotherhood, sisterhood, peace and coexistence. The time for unity is now and it must be fully utilised.”
The bishop emphasized the need to place God at the centre of all efforts aimed at developing the Ateker community, quoting Psalm 127: “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labour in vain.” He warned that human effort without divine guidance often leads to failure and confusion, likening such situations to the biblical Tower of Babel.
“We want God to be the cornerstone of this initiative,” he declared. “When God is left out, confusion comes in. But when God is at the centre, our efforts bear lasting fruit.” He said sport has power to shape character, promote discipline and foster teamwork. Referencing ancient philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle, he noted that sport helps create harmony between the mind and the body while cultivating virtues and self-mastery.
He also cited the reflections of Albert Camus, who once remarked that much of what he learned about morality and human relations came from playing football as a goalkeeper. According to the bishop, sport offers young people an avenue to develop leadership qualities and positive values that can benefit society. He further drew inspiration from a recent message by Pope Leo XIV on the value of sport, highlighting its role in promoting peace, fraternity and solidarity.
“Sport can play an important role for the good of humanity, especially in the promotion of peace,” the bishop said, adding that the Ateker tournament should contribute to creating a future where communities resolve differences peacefully rather than through conflict. While praising the benefits of sport, the bishop cautioned organisers and participants against allowing financial interests to overshadow the tournament’s objectives.
He warned that excessive focus on profit, personal gain and commercial interests could undermine the values of human dignity, inclusion and community development that the competition seeks to promote. “Problems arise when business becomes the primary source of motivation. Decisions should not be driven solely by profit but by the dignity of the human person and the welfare of the community,” he said.
Bishop Eciru urged stakeholders to protect the spirit of the Ateker Cup of Nations by ensuring that it remains a platform for cultural exchange, dialogue and friendship among diverse communities. The Ateker Cup of Nations brings together communities linked by Ateker heritage across East Africa. Organisers say the tournament aims to strengthen cultural ties, nurture sporting talent and promote regional integration.
The 2026 edition will end with a leadership conference expected to attract delegates from across the Ateker region. As he concluded his remarks, Bishop Eciru called for collective commitment to the tournament’s goals. “Let sport possess an extraordinary capacity for inclusion. Let us use this opportunity to reach out to others, build unity and transform society,” he said. “May God bless this initiative and all who take part in it.”-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
