In a vibrant celebration of peace and youth solidarity, the 2025 HWPL Peace Futsal Cup was successfully held from May 31 to June 1 in the Matadoro district of Dili, Timor-Leste. The event, co-hosted by the international peace NGO HWPL(Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light) and the Timor-Leste Futsal Federation, brought together eight youth futsal teams from leading universities – such as DIT, UNDIL, and Kambers – for two days of spirited competition and unity. Remarkably, the event was entirely supported by volunteers, with the venue and officiating services all offered free of charge.
There is no official inter-university futsal league in Timor-Leste currently, limiting opportunities for young people to connect through sports. To improve the situation, HWPL launched the Peace Futsal Cup to create a space where youth from different universities and communities can come together in the spirit of friendship and mutual understanding.
Following the success of the first Futsal Cup in 2024, this second annual tournament has begun to grow into a meaningful tradition of sports-based peacebuilding.
The tournament stood as a model of civic cooperation and community ownership. The Matadoro district leader, Mr. Zhyto Pereira, provided the futsal court for free, while four referees from the national futsal federation volunteered their time for the matches.
The participating teams, made up of university students and local youth, not only played competitively but also built new friendships and promoted the values of peace and teamwork. The event is expected to catalyze the formation of inter-campus futsal leagues and further strengthen youth networks across Timor-Leste.
Pedro de Deus, captain of the Primos Irmãos team, expressed his appreciation:
“We sincerely appreciate the invitation to participate. It was a truly meaningful experience for our young players, especially those currently pursuing their university studies.
Participating in this event was not only about playing the game, but also about fostering relationships with players from different universities and institutions, and promoting peace and camaraderie among youth.
I look forward to the possibility of collaborating on future events. Please feel free to reach out if there is any way I can assist – I would be more than happy to support the team.”
Building on the relationships and enthusiasm sparked through this tournament, HWPL plans to expand its peace-themed sports initiatives throughout Timor-Leste. With a vision to embed peacebuilding into youth culture, the organization will continue to support regular and sustainable programs that empower young people to be ambassadors of peace – on and off the field.
