On September 28, 2025, Burundi and the province of Makamba proudly hosted a new edition of the Friendship Games, organized by the Venuste Niyongabo Foundation in partnership with Peace and Sport, under the high patronage of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco and with the support of the Monaco International Cooperation.
Held under the theme “Burundian Youth: Builders of Peace and Brotherhood,” the event brought together young people from various provinces, local authorities, international guests, and prominent sports figures — all united by a shared vision: using sport as a powerful tool for cohesion, unity, and reconciliation.
At the Makamba Omnisport Field, spirited tournaments in football, volleyball, and basketball saw teams from Makamba, Bururi, and Bujumbura compete in an atmosphere filled with camaraderie and hope. Diana Gandega, Champion for Peace, joined international partners, including Italian medical professionals, to show their support for Burundian youth.
The day concluded with an award ceremony celebrating more than 400 young participants, symbolizing the joint commitment of local and international partners to building a sustainable and peaceful future for Burundi’s new generation.
Through this new edition of the Friendship Games, Burundi reaffirms its leadership within the international Peacemakers Project network, demonstrating once again that sport remains a universal language of peace, solidarity, and development.
