In the years 2006 and 2007 PDRC has been focusing on topics related to “Youth and Peace” from the prospective of their Role in Peace-Building. Youth status, life style, challenges faced in their role of peace building was thoroughly discussed.

In line with the outcome of the earlier assessment and appraisals PDRC decided to further carry forward the involvement of youth in peace-building. The arrangement of sports events deemed an appropriate and important undertaking to draw large number of youth into the peace-building. 

“Youth, Peace and Sport” initiative was conceived as an effective tool for the creation of youth interaction opportunities in order to harness positive energy for building good relationships among themselves. Promoting good relationship is a key component of peace-building which encourages mutual acceptance and tolerance and reduces tensions and violence between opposing youth groups The Sport Event  can also  break the cycle of youth idleness and divert youth attention from the new phenomena of sea-venture or sea-piracy  with the added value of enhancing security.

PDRC and the Ministry of Labor, Youth and Sport jointly organized an ambitious endeavor – football Tournament for Puntland regions. For the purpose of undertaking this desirable initiative, PDRC and Interpeace, were tasked to provide the funding of the event as well as the supervision and arrangement of the thorough implementation of the tournament, while the Ministry of Labor, Youth and Sport took care of all organizational and technical aspects of the events.

Teams from 6 regions out of the 7 regions of Puntland, with the exception of karkaar region, which was excluded through a draw, took part in the tournament.

The tournament took place from 3^rd to 10^th of October, 2008, in Mire Aware Stadium. It drew a huge public, particularly youth of both sexes. During the preparations, the six teams were selected through drawings and grouped into two groups: Group A (Nugaal, Ayn and Mudug) and Group B (Bari, Sool and Sanaag). Given the huge organizational efforts and costs involved the tournament was simplified to two eliminatory rounds and the final. In the first round Ayn and Sanaag were knocked out. In the second round Bari and Mudug were defeated by Sool and Nugaal. The latter teams qualified for the final.

Although tough security arrangements were in place throughout the tournament games, the ministry, the local authorities and PDRC have shown anxiety over the security during the final match between Sool and Nugaal Regions. Additional security measures were taken into action, but the anxiety turned into joy and celebration. On Friday 10^th the final match was arranged. The enthusiasm of the youth was so high that Garowe has never witnessed. An average of 3 to 4 thousand spectators usually attended the matches, but the final attracted more than 7 thousand spectators (based on the number of tickets sold). The first and the second parts of the match ended in draw. Sool region team won the game after scoring 5 penalties, against 4 of Nugaal team.

The sporting event provided the youth and the spectators to the games a week long of entertainment and fun. In Garowe as well as in other sport circles of Puntland the focus of the daily conversation and gossip shifted from the every day talk of the  sea-piracy news episodes to the more appealing and involving sporting activities under way in the local stadium.

Generally, the games were played friendly by the teams in spite of the fact that tension as normal occurrence in similar situations was palpable between the playing parties as well as among their fans. Referees, linemen, field judges as well as team coaches all contributed to the good outcome of the games. Fortunately there were no serious injuries occurred to the players. No invasion of the play field by the fans took place, which was highly feared to occur during the matches.