SSDA runs Skills for Peace Basketball Program in Tari

The Southstar Sports Development Association (SSDA), in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has delivered a week-long Skills for Peace Basketball Training Program in Hela’s Tari Pori District from July 26th-29th, 2025. 

A total of 27 youths within the vicinity of Tari town attended the week-long skills for peace training program organized by SSDA in collaboration with UNDP. 

The Skills for Peace Training Program was delivered in the following phases: 

1. Basketball Refereeing - New FIBA rules update 

2. Basketball Coaching 

3. Basketball Administration 

4. Skills for Peace - Peace Guides 

The program was a first of its kind being introduced to Hela Province, aiming to empower and strengthen the local youths of Tari Basketball competition, facilitated by Peace Guides in running skills for peace through school intervention advocacy. 

A trial session was held at Kupare Primary School in the Tari Pori District, educating a total of 143 students by 30 Peace Guides. The skills for peace sessions were delivered to advocate about peace-building and resilience measures for youths aged 10-24 in the education sector.

SSDA Director Timothy Mako acknowledged UNDP and the local community-based organization, Hela Lions Club, under the leadership of President Dickson Durrell and his staff, ensuring that the training was delivered. 

“SSDA wishes to thank UNDP for the funding support that enabled our team to deliver the much-needed training for the vulnerable youths in Tari. Youths are the main actors in the increase of violence, so such youth programs are vital for Hela,” Mako stated. 

“Enhancing personal skills and knowledge for violence prevention was the primary objective of our program to protect future generations of Tari in the Hela Province. 

“To mobilize youths from different conflict zones was a great challenge, but through this great partnership with UNDP and the support of Hela Lions Club, we managed to complete our training successfully.”

From 2024 - 2025, SSDA trained 10 Peace Guides in SHP’s Ialibu Pangia District and 39 Peace Guides in Nipa District, and recently, they trained 27 Peace Guides in Hela’s Tari Pori District. By September, they are planning to train 30 Youth Peace Guides in the Mendi-Munhiu District of SHP.

President Mako urged for support, pleading: “We appeal to the business houses, donors, stakeholders, and DDAs for their support to enable the Peace Guides initiative to empower and engage youths in reducing the increased law and order issues affecting young boys, women, and children, not just in Hela but SHP and Enga as well.”