UNIFIL Spanish peacekeepers this week presented soccer kits, sports equipment, accessories and clothes to an under-15 soccer club based in El Hebbariye, south-eastern Lebanon.

The equipment and cloths, donated to the local Nejmeh Sporting Club during a ceremony held in the UNIFIL Sector East Headquarters in Ibl al-Saqi on 24 November, were provided by the Real Madrid Foundation based in Spain, in collaboration with UNIFIL Spanish battalion.

The items were handed over to the manager of the club, Issam Youssef, in presence of only the captain of the club without attendance of the full team due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Mr. Youssef expressed his gratitude for the support, which he hopes will help ensure brighter future for the young Lebanese to become professional sportspersons.

The latest support in the UNIFIL area of operations in Sector East is the continuation of similar previous efforts by the Mission and its peacekeepers in different areas in south Lebanon. Last week a similar donation was made to the Kfar Shouba Public School.

Between their core peacekeeping duties, UNIFIL peacekeepers regularly carry out various activities, like this one, in support of the host communities, which – together with their operational activities – have helped keep calm in the Mission's area of operation for more than 14 years.

[UN Photos / Lt Col Jose Antonio Sanchez de Lara]