Programs & Events
One Family, One Niger
In August Embassy Niamey concluded two highly successful sports tournaments which reached eight cities in Niger. The theme of these traveling sports "caravans" was Une Famille, Un Niger (“One Family, One Niger”) and focused on promoting inter-racial, inter-ethnic, inter-regional and religious tolerance. In addition, the caravans introduced the subthemes of “good governance” and “anti-corruption” as a means of strengthening the nation .
This marked the second year of the basketball caravan, with games in Niamey (opening and closing), Maradi, Zinder, Konni, and Dosso. Members of the Nigerien junior national basketball team played against the national team in the inaugural game in Niamey, then traveled with the caravan and competed against the regional squad in each location. Following the basketball tournament, post immediately launched into its first annual soccer caravan with the opening game in the capital followed by games in three important cities. In addition, a popular acting company traveled along with the caravans and performed opening and half-time skits at each game, which highlighted tolerance themes.
Total attendance for both tournaments neared 70,000 with active participation by high-level national, regional and local officials, who echoed the importance of the caravan’s tolerance message.