Togo/ 2025 Sports Launch: Social Cohesion and Solidarity in East Mono

This Saturday, January 18, 2025, the prefecture of Est-Mono, in the Plateaux region, vibrated to the rhythm of sporting activities organized in Elavagnon, its capital. This event brought together eight football teams from the different cantons of the prefecture, as well as women's and men's handball matches. The gala was organized by the Sporting Handball Club of Est-Mono (SHC-EM) to mark the launch of its sporting activities for the year 2025.

Karouwé Pourowa, president of the SHC-EM, explained that this initiative stems from a shared determination to strengthen cohesion among young people in the prefecture. "This activity is the result of our desire to come together around handball and football to promote community life and solidarity," he said.

Activities kicked off with a women's handball match between Sporting Handball Club de l'Est-Mono and the Gaougbé team, which resulted in a resounding 18-0 victory for SHC-EM. The day continued with a match between the club's U17 and Junior Senior men's teams. Then, it was time for football with some hotly contested matches:

• Sama-Copé and Okoutawaya parted ways with a draw (0-0).
• The Jaguars faced Morétan, also ending in a draw (0-0).
• Gbadjahè took the upper hand over Nyamassila with a score of 1-0.

The event's theme, "Inclusion, Social Cohesion, and the Fight Against Terrorism and Violent Extremism," was highlighted by the organizers. During his opening speech, the Secretary General of the Prefecture, representing the prefect, praised this initiative, which encourages young people to unite and remain vigilant in the face of current challenges. "Sport is an excellent way to bring people together, strengthen bonds of brotherhood, and combat divisions such as ethnocentrism," he said.

Club president Karouwé Pourowa thanked the administrative, political, and military authorities for their support. He urged the youth to continue cultivating solidarity and team spirit to build a strong and dynamic prefecture together. His ambition is to make Est-Mono a model in sports such as handball and football.

Each participating team left with an envelope and a ball, a symbol of recognition and encouragement. This event, which attracted a large crowd, marked the beginning of a series of sporting activities in the prefecture.

Founded in August 2024 during a statutory and elective general meeting in Elavagnon, the Sporting Handball Club of Est-Mono was born from the commitment of the prefecture's executives to promote handball. Karouwé Pourowa, a mechanical engineer, was elected president of the club during this congress. Since then, the club has worked to make sport a vector of unity and development for the youth of Est-Mono.

This sporting event was a wonderful illustration of the importance of sport in promoting social cohesion, inclusion, and personal development. A promising first edition that gives hope for other great initiatives in the future.

The Emissary