By Bernadette H. Carreon
Horizon news staff

I HAVE recently come across a line from surfing the internet about how sports can bring peace and unity.
Sports do can bring people together, regardless of color, religion or sex.
Take for example the sport of tennis, badminton and basketball among others.
The recent tennis and badminton tournament showed that we can transcend differences and that we can succeed through unity.
These sport activities in Palau are composed of different kinds of people, Palauans and non-Palauans , young and old, men and women.
Sports have the essential ingredients in promoting peace, such as tolerance and understanding of people. It can be a powerful tool in the promotion of peace.
It is a universal language that goes beyond political and social barriers.
These sport organizations are composed of an eclectic group, aside from promoting the sports of tennis, friendship has been developed among members who eventually could lead to community activities such as clean-up drive and fundraisers.
Even outside of the sports venue these people have formed long-lasting friendships.
If only the sports arena can be the similar to the political arena, where cooperation and collaboration are important. Through the sports arena differences are settled more amicably.
Participants who are engaging in sports also are good team players because of the capacity to work together and learn from each other.
I think everyone will agree with me that during tournaments, athletes or participants are more tolerant and understanding of people’s views and interests which eventually could lead to development of societies and nations.
Small sacrifice
The Emmaus High School Juniors has teamed up with First Lady Debbie Remengesau to conduct clean –up projects.
These young men help clean the Palau-Japan Friendship Bridge and the causeways throughout Palau.
As incentive, the first lady handed them a check in the amount of $1,000 last week.
When the students approached the First Lady she agreed to assist to help them out if they will work hard. The money that they raised will be spent on the Junior/Senior Banquet and the class has already a next project in line which is to collect trash along the Compact Road.
This accomplishment by the students is something that other students should emulate.
At a very young age, students should learn to value its environment. This may be a small sacrifice but it is very important to keep the country clean.
The project at the same time taught the students on how to work hard in order to get assistance.
The community should also do its part by learning to pick their trash and make small sacrifices too to keep the environment litter-free.
The project also took the students away from activities that may harm them. Kudos, to the First Lady who continue to support student projects that will make our youth well-rounded citizens.