The “Sport Without Borders” tournament, dedicated to International Women’s Day, was successfully held on March 11–12, 2026, in the city of Vahdat and the Rudaki district, serving as a vivid example of how sport can unite and inspire.
The event brought together 20 adolescent girls, including 13 refugee girls and 7 representatives of the local community. The event took place at School No. 3 in the city of Vahdat. The tournament was not just a sporting event, but a meaningful platform for strengthening friendship, fostering team spirit, and promoting the values of unity and mutual understanding. In an atmosphere of support and respect, participants had the opportunity to communicate, share experiences, and feel part of a united community. Particular emphasis was placed on the principles of inclusivity and equal opportunities, which added significant social value to the initiative.
The sports program included a volleyball tournament in the city of Vahdat, held in a friendly yet competitive spirit. The participants demonstrated not only physical skills, but also teamwork, mutual support, and determination to achieve common goals.
In the Rudaki district, the event expanded beyond its original plan: in addition to volleyball, a friendly basketball match was organized at the initiative of the participants themselves. This idea was enthusiastically supported, and as a result, 20 participants took part in the game — including 11 refugee girls and 9 representatives of the local community. The majority of participants — 17 girls — are students of Secondary School No. 15 in the Rudaki district, along with 3 invited sports enthusiasts. It is worth noting that this school has the highest number of refugee children in the district, making such initiatives especially important for strengthening social cohesion and integration.
In the Rudaki district, the event expanded beyond its original plan: in addition to volleyball, a friendly basketball match was organized at the initiative of the participants themselves. This idea was enthusiastically supported, and as a result, 20 participants took part in the game — including 11 refugee girls and 9 representatives of the local community. The majority of participants — 17 girls — are students of Secondary School No. 15 in the Rudaki district, along with 3 invited sports enthusiasts. It is worth noting that this school has the highest number of refugee children in the district, making such initiatives especially important for strengthening social cohesion and integration.
The tournament clearly demonstrated that sport is a universal language capable of overcoming barriers and bringing together people from different social backgrounds. It served as an effective platform for developing leadership skills, building self-confidence, and expanding opportunities for girls.
At the end of the event, all participants were awarded memorable gifts and certificates of participation, symbolizing recognition of their active engagement, personal growth, and contribution to fostering friendship and mutual understanding.
At the conclusion of the tournament, the participants expressed their interest in continuing their training and requested support in securing ongoing access to the sports hall for regular practice sessions. As part of this initiative, teams were formed and coordination groups were created, enabling the girls to organize training schedules and discuss logistical matters.
Furthermore, the newly formed teams demonstrated a strong commitment to further development and expressed their intention to participate in district, city, and other competitions, continuing to build their skills, confidence, and team spirit. The initiative was implemented with the support of and in close collaboration with implementing partners
