About
PeacePlayers Basketball Programming includes basketball programming along with peace education and leadership development. The program uses the power of sport to build peaceful and thriving communities and operates in South Africa, Northern Ireland, the Middle East, and the United States. Participants can form connections with youth from all over the globe, and programs maintained global connections virtually during COVID-19 restrictions, including through the Friendship Game initiative.
PeacePlayers (then Playing for Peace) launched in 2001. The leadership team includes Sean Tuohey (co-founder of PeacePlayers), Thibault Manekin (Co-Creator of PeacePlayers), Chinny Nwagbo (host of PeacePlayers’ Play It Forward Podcast), and Emmet/Emmett Shephard (co-host of the Play It Forward Podcast). PeacePlayers conducted an 8-year randomized control trial study in the Middle East that demonstrated impact on building peace between Israelis and Palestinians. The organization accepted the Mannie Jackson Human Spirit Award at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremonies. Creating a network of young leaders has been made possible through partnerships with Nike, Laureus, USAID, Beyond Sport, and a network of community partners around the globe.
“I started at PeacePlayers sort of on a whim, with the idea that kids who play basketball together could become friends and really, really smart, cool people got involved and built it into an amazing organization.” - Sean Tuohey, co-founder of PeacePlayers
“Sean convinced me to go on this wild ride and adventure and meet him in South Africa at the beginning of the PeacePlayers program, and we were literally just driven forward by the opportunity to change the way that people relate to each other through sports, and it's been so inspiring to watch the organization grow.” - Thibault Manekin, Co-Creator of PeacePlayers
Last updated August 3, 2026.
PeacePlayers (then Playing for Peace) launched in 2001. The leadership team includes Sean Tuohey (co-founder of PeacePlayers), Thibault Manekin (Co-Creator of PeacePlayers), Chinny Nwagbo (host of PeacePlayers’ Play It Forward Podcast), and Emmet/Emmett Shephard (co-host of the Play It Forward Podcast). PeacePlayers conducted an 8-year randomized control trial study in the Middle East that demonstrated impact on building peace between Israelis and Palestinians. The organization accepted the Mannie Jackson Human Spirit Award at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremonies. Creating a network of young leaders has been made possible through partnerships with Nike, Laureus, USAID, Beyond Sport, and a network of community partners around the globe.
“I started at PeacePlayers sort of on a whim, with the idea that kids who play basketball together could become friends and really, really smart, cool people got involved and built it into an amazing organization.” - Sean Tuohey, co-founder of PeacePlayers
“Sean convinced me to go on this wild ride and adventure and meet him in South Africa at the beginning of the PeacePlayers program, and we were literally just driven forward by the opportunity to change the way that people relate to each other through sports, and it's been so inspiring to watch the organization grow.” - Thibault Manekin, Co-Creator of PeacePlayers
Last updated August 3, 2026.
Is this your business? There is no cost, but you will be asked to sign up or log in.