Côte d’Ivoire / UNOCI refurbishes football field for schools in Bouna
ABIDJAN, Côte d’Ivoire, May 26, 2010/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) handed over a football field refurbished by its Pakistani military engineering corps to the authorities in Bouna on 21 May. The field, located in the premises of the Bouna secondary school, was handed over to the deputy prefect of Bouna, Lassina Binate, by the Commander of the Ghanaian battalion, Colonel James Hogan, who was representing UNOCI’s Sector East. The ceremony was held after a friendly match between UNOCI and the Lycee Moderne of Bouna.
“During this crisis-resolution period, the population as a whole and the youth in particular need wholesome entertainment not only to stay healthy but also to contribute positively to the establishment of peace,” said Col. Hogan. “That is the reason why UNOCI responded positively to the request by the Prefect to make a football field available to the students,” he explained.
The deputy prefect of Bouna, Lassina Binate, thanked UNOCI and remarked that after having come to the rescue of Ivorians to restore peace, the Mission was now helping the youths of Bouna to have a place of entertainment that is conducive to bringing people together in peace. He expressed the hope that the good relations between Ivorians and UNOCI would be maintained.
The principal of the Lycee, Sidi Moustapha thanked UNOCI for its gesture towards the students and pleaded for the rehabilitation of the administrative building of the school. UNOCI also donated several footballs to the Lycee in order to ensure the field is put to good use.
SOURCE
Mission of UN in Côte d’Ivoire
