Palabek’s Passion

Thomas Lokecha, Uganda

Thomas Lokecha is an 18 year old South Sudanese student living in Palabek Refugee Settlement in Uganda. He plays football with the Sports Aid Network, an organisation dedicated to enriching the lives of youth through sports.

Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your football life?

My name is Thomas Lokecha. I am 18 years old and a student at Paluda Secondary School. I am South Sudanese and a refugee in Palabek Refugee Settlement in Uganda. I have a family of six - three sisters, a brother, and my mother. My father left us many years ago.

I played football back home in South Sudan with one of the local clubs known as Green Land Football Club. But I left South Sudan because of the continuous war.

What did you try to show with the photos?

I showed youth from Zone 7 playing football in Palabek Refugee Settlement and the photos were taken in the Unity Primary school playground. I was trying to show the passion and love for football from the refugee youth in Palabek. Football unites people and is a game that involves many people. We also enjoy it because one day we want to be like Messi or Ronaldo and be on television.

Akena Abraham is a refugee in the Settlement, who is always talking with everyone. He likes playing football and has a dream of becoming a national football player when we return to South Sudan. At the moment there is no peace there, and I will not be able to return until there is peace in my home country.

I showed a penalty shoot out with twin brothers who also like football. Their names are Lunyera David and Odiya Daniel and I have known them since we lived in South Sudan. We relocated together and now we live in the same Zone and Block in Palabek Refugee settlement. It is hard to find twins that like football to the extent they do. They want to always be involved at all times.

Why is football important to you and your community? What role does Sports Aid Network play in your life at the moment?

Football unites and strengthens relationships with friends and between the community. Football should be supported continuously for the youth. Back in South Sudan I struggled to meet new people but when I started playing football, I learnt that there is a need to associate with others and this has strengthened my relationship with people from different backgrounds and cultures.

Sports Aid Network has provided us with playing materials and also training to continue playing. I play with other youth in the settlement. I have a team that I play with in the settlement in Zone 7. Although there is no league, we play every day after school. Football has improved the psychosocial wellbeing of youth in Palabek and therefore I think it should be supported. It has also helped improve social relationships and strengthened relationships between people.

What ambitions do you have for the future?

I want to become a humanitarian worker. I saw many people suffering in South Sudan due to the war and therefore my heart values human life, so I want to support the needy. I would also like to continue playing football to a professional level. I want to play for a European club because they pay players good money, which can enable me to support my family and community.