The Governor of Western Bahr el Ghazal State appealed to citizens to focus on developing sports in order to get rid of tribalism among communities.

Sarah Cleto Riel, said that Western Bahr el Ghazal state is a state of peace and love and it has a good slogan that came from sports.

She therefore appealed to citizens to avoid weapons and tribal centiments and focus on sports that bring people together.

Cleto Riel confirmed that the state government will support the youth and will work with the Ministry of Culture and Sports to develop sports in order to unite the people.

The governor appealed and encouraged all communities in Western Bahr El Ghazal State to think about the future of the current generation through sports, which can make them become symbols and leaders of the state.

The Minister of Wildlife and National Tourism, Rizik Zacharia Hassan expressed his regret and said that the level of sports activities in Wau is low, which made the spirit of tribalism high in the state.

Rizik appealed to the state government to adopt the spirit of encouraging and funding sports clubs in the state because sports unite people as one people of one nation.

The leaders made these statements to the media at the end of the week during the match that brought together Al Hilal and Al Salam teams in Wau Stadium.

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The chair of the electoral commission Advocate Bak Athiang announced the result during the South Basketball Federation’s Elective General Assembly held on Monday, February 19th, 2024 in Juba.

Luol Deng and his team stood unopposed in their caliber as no other contenders have expressed interest in taking on the candidacy of their positions.

Other candidates elected to work with SSBF included Dr. Aruo Ramadan Charles who was then the Deputy Secretary General and was elected as Secretary General and Wal Paul Puk elected as the Secretary for Finance respectively.

The three elected members will now lead the South Sudan Basketball Federation in another four-year tenure until 2028 commencing right after they were pronounced ‘winners’ since it doesn’t require handover, says Bak.

According to reports, twelve delegates, mainly from Basketball regional leaders were selected from the ten states and two administrative areas to take part in the voting process.

The SSBF president Lual Deng in his remarks, bid to listen more from the Basketball states and administrative leaders and told them to speak their minds about matters of concern to enable teamwork and strengthen the working relationship among the family of the basketball community in South Sudan.

The representative of FIBA and Zone Five FIBA Africa president Eng. Hesham El Hariri, calls on government to sponsors basketball success as it prepares to represent South Sudan for the first time in the anticipated Olympic competition in Paris-Frach.

South Sudan participated in the 2023 FIBA World Cup with remarkable performance under the leadership of former Chicago Bulls star Luol Deng who have been granted the second chance.

The elective general assembly was witnessed by Zone Five FIBA Africa president Eng. Hesham El Hariri, SSFA President Augustino Maduot Parek, the Chairperson of the National Youth and Sports Council, Mr. Ramadan Moka, and many dignitaries, and sports lovers were present. 

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The 8th anniversary of Unity Day is marked on the 28th annually since its inception in 2016.

More than 288 participants drowned from 10 states and 3 administrative areas, young girls took the biggest share with over 239 participants while young men were 49.

The Minister of Youth and Sport, Dr. Joseph Geng Akech said, the decision to have more girls is to encourage and promote equal participation and break the stereotypes, and barriers hindering girls from participating in certain sporting activities.

Minister called on young people to embrace sport as a vehicle for national unity and social cohesion.

Dr. Geng urged participants to nourish their talents and create and build strong bonds among themselves.

Dr. Geng unveiled the Ministry’s plans to prioritize and promote sporting and athletic activities among young people for the realization of peace and social harmony among different communities in the country.

The Minister said his ministry is committed to organizing the National Unity Day Sports activities annually and partners will only take complementary roles.

The director of the Ministry of Youth and Sport, Edward Satimu said this year’s event will be the last to be sponsored by partners.

Satimo added that the government has already taken full custody of the event and will organize it annually.

The Charge d’I Affairs of the Japanese Embassy in South Sudan, Wannabe, urged the government to take a leading role in the event and only allow partners to contribute where necessary.

Wannabe echoed Japanese commitment through JICA to continue supporting sporting activities in the country. Participants at the event expressed gratitude for the opportunity to take part in the event.

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The president of the South Sudan Basketball Federation, Luol Deng has expressed his interest to vie for a second term in the next elections expected to take place in February 2024.

Luol Deng confirmed his interest for second term as the SSBF President today Wednesday 6th in a press conference in Juba.

Luol’s  four-year term in office as the president of the country basketball federation came to an end on November 24th this year, but the term was extended by the Minister of Youth and Sports until February 2024 to enable him prepare the national Basketball team for the upcoming Olympic Championship.

The incumbent SSBF president explained that some of his major goals for basketball growth were not achieved in the four-year term in office despite making the South Sudan Basketball team number one in Africa and qualifying for the Olympics that will be played in Paris 2024.

“I think my next, if I was to be elected or not to be elected; I want to focus on a lot of work that we need to achieve inside South Sudan. I think the first four years has been up and down but to be honest, I can say I have learned a lot.”

Luol added that his running for second term to making South Sudan dominate basketball for years as other African countries like Angola and Nigeria did

He revealed that he also wanted basketball to offer opportunities that can change the lives of young South Sudanese.

“For me to run again is on the purpose that I see South Sudan as bigger than as people say,” Luol added.

SSBF had received directives from the Ministry of Youth and Sports to conduct elections.

Early this week on Tuesday, Minister of Youth and Sports Geng Akech reiterated that the federation should conduct elections in February 2024 as per his previous directives.

However, he said Luol and his team should continue to lead in the few months remaining to federation election.

“Until such elections are held in February 2024, the current leadership of the federation led by Mister Luol Deng and his executive body will continue to stay in office,” Geng said.

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The National Minister of Youth and Sports Doctor Joseph Geng Akech has directed the South Sudan Basketball Federation to maintain Lual Deng as the president of South Sudan Basketball Federation until February 2024.

Doctor Joseph Geng said on Tuesday that the extension of Luol’s term as the SSBF president is to enable him to prepare the Basketball team for the upcoming Olympic competition expected to take place next year in France.

Unconfirmed reports on social media had revealed that the General Assembly of the South Sudan Basketball Federation has suspended the president, Luol Deng, over his alleged failure to respond to meetings call as his four-year term  ended last month 24th November.

Minister Joseph said  that the ministry encourages the federation to carry on with the basketball activities across the country especially preparing the national team for the upcoming competition to be held in 2024

 “The Ministry of Youth and Sports wishes to clarify that until such elections are held in February 2024, the current leadership of the federation led by Mister Lual Deng and his executive will continue to stay in office.”

The Minister also reaffirmed his ministry’s  commitment to continue supporting the basketball activities  by availing offices, resources and efforts to assist the federation with any administrative needs that may arises in due process of preparing for its election and Olympic competitions.

Meanwhile the President of the South Sudan Basketball Federation Mr.Lual Deng welcomed the minister’s decision for allowing him to lead the basketball team until February 2024.

He asserted that he would have turned his back with the decision made but due to the minister and public demand, due to the trust and the positive results he achieved, he would continue  to serve while preparing to hold elections in the right manner.

“And if that decision was made the other way, I would turn my back the other way but what you are caught up by your people because they see the right results and what we are accomplishing, we got to keep on moving forward.” Luol asserted.

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The South Sudan Football Association (SSFA) has on Friday November 24th, signed a vital collaboration with Crawford Capital Company to enhance its marketing strategies and advertisement of its footballing activities in the country.

The SSFA confirmed the signing of the partnership on its social media handle saying Crawford Company aims to provide leading information, and will market the football association in the media.

It also adds that, the agreement was signed by SSFA President Augustino Maduot Parek, and the Chief Executive Officer of Crawford Wol Areej, witnessed by the Executive Director of the company Garang Malek, the Chairperson of the Association’s Investment and Marketing Committee. Robert Zakaria, and SSFA Secretary General.Victor Lawrence, 

According to the official statement, the partnership will pave the way for Crawford Capital to work closely with SSFA in advertising and marketing sports activities in the country.

The SSFA did not include the time limit of their partnership with Crawford Capital Company and how much is the contract worth.

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In a statement released on Friday by the South Sudan Football governing body, the SSFA announced the decision, expressing gratitude to Henri for his dedication towards the team during his tenure. 

The statement in part reads, “Dear Sports Lovers and Public, the South Sudan Football Association would like to officially announce the ending of the contract with our senior team head coach, Stefano Cusin.” 

The decision was reached mutually between both parties, and they agreed not to renew the service. 

“This decision was reached mutually between both parties after his two-year contract ended earlier this month and we agreed not to renew the service,” the statement further stated.

The SSFA remains committed to finding a new head coach who can lead the team to new heights and achieve their goals. 

According to the SSFA, “The Association has moved forward by initiating an active search for a new head coach who can guide the national team to unprecedented heights and help them achieve their ambitious goals.”

Further updates on the recruitment process for a new head coach will be provided in due course. 

Henri, a 54-year-old Italian national, was hired by the SSFA on September 28, 2021, to lead the South Sudan National team.

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Last weekend, a football match between Aweil North and Pibor was interrupted after Pibor scored a game-winning goal in the stoppage minute of the game.

The fighting broke out after the Pibor team scored the winning goal in the 90th minute of a football game between Aweil North and Pibor.

The melee that occurred during the match left all the spectators, including the Pibor fans, fleeing for their lives as the crowd went on a rampage, destroying chairs around the pitch.

As a result of the chaos during the match tournament that was being played in Buluk playground, the referee stopped the game and suspended it indefinitely.

However, the Organizing Committee of the Aweil Martyrs Football Tournament came up with resolutions declaring the Pibor team the winner of the match.

The Committee also charged the Aweil North team with 2,000,000 SSP for alleged misconduct of their fans during the match.

Speaking to the media in Juba today, the Secretary-General of the tournament, Marco Akol Deng stated the fine is intended to cover all damages during game.

“The fine is intended to cover the cost incurred during the final played on July 16, 2023, at Buluk Playground, when chairs were broken and the field fence was damaged,” Deng highlighted.

Marco reveals that Aweil North fans breached Article 78 of the SSFA general regulations and Paragraph 21 of the tournament regulations.

“We condemn the behavior that was caused by the Aweil North fans; this behavior is not a character trait of Aweil and its people, and we consider it extraneous and rejected by the Aweil athlete confluence in Juba,” Akol stated.

According to Akol, Article 78 of the SSFA general regulations, and paragraph 21 of the tournament regulations, the Aweil North Team is considered defeated 0/2 in favor of the Pibor Football Team.

The Secretary-General threatens that if the team failed to pay the fine, it will be disqualified and banned from participating in the competition for two (2) years.

He said, “Failure to pay it, Aweil North squad will be disqualified from participating in the competition for two (2) years, as specified in Article No. 78 of the SSFA general regulations and Paragraph 21 of the tournament.”

The organization also stated that the Aweil North fans’ actions will not deter the Aweil Martyrs’ annual competition.

The Secretary-General of the Tournament urges football fans to avoid further penalties or bans in the future.

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Emmanuel Khemis issued a local order, No.001/2023, which tasks the Entertainment Authority with regulating entertainment and recreational centers such as bars, clubs, and cinemas.

The Mayor tasked the Entertainment Authority to censor music Audio and videos that carry hate speech messages from being played on Radio stations and Televisions.

The order also prohibits underage teenagers and peers from accessing disco clubs, Hotel venues, and nightclub bars

Entertainment Authority has been authorized to regulate beauty pageants, comedy, drama theatres, shows, and films, and ensure that 98% of South Sudanese music is played to promote local content.

The order aims to ensure that these centers operate in compliance with the law and maintain high standards of safety and hygiene.

The Entertainment Authority will also be responsible for issuing licenses and permits to these centers.

This move is expected to have a positive impact on the entertainment industry in Juba, as it will help to create a more organized and regulated environment for businesses to operate in.

It will also help to ensure that customers have access to safe and high-quality entertainment options.

According to the Acting Mayor, any violation of this order will result in punitive measures as shall be determined by the Juba City Council by-law Penal code.

All Juba City Quarter Council Authorities are tasked to implement the order in collaboration with the state and national agencies and security organs.

The Juba City Council has been active in implementing other local orders to improve the city’s infrastructure and services.

In June, the council formed a task force to oversee the implementation of an order capping the prices of water charged by sellers in the city.

The council has also dissolved the 57 quarter councils within its jurisdiction and commissioned the work of a Juba City Council Steering Committee for the Boda-Boda Association.

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The Young players waved goodbye to the members of the South Sudan Football Association at Juba international airport on Monday.

According to the South Sudan Football Association, the team are mentally prepared for the competition and excited to showcase their football skills on the international stage.

The President of the South Sudan Football Association, Mr. Augustino Maduot, expressed his confidence in the team’s abilities and encouraged them to play with passion and dedication.

He added that, “the Total Energies AFCON competition is a great opportunity for the team to gain valuable experience and exposure, “The players are determined to do their best and make South Sudan proud, Augustino Maduot added.

South Sudan under 17 national team are in group C and drawn to face Cameroon on 2nd of May, Burkina Faso on 4^th and Mali on 7th of the same month respectively.

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The team coached by the former NBA star, Luol Deng defeated the Senegalese side by 83-75 at Al Ittihad Stadium in Alexandria, Egypt.

After the win against Senegal, the South Sudan team will finish as one of the top two teams in Group F, hence assuring of the spot at the event being held in Japan, the Philippines, and Indonesia later this year.

Senegal, however, was not a pushover. The two teams traded the lead for much of the game, with South Sudan ahead by only a single point at the end of the first quarter and again at half-time.

The West African team led by four after three quarters before being outscored by South Sudan 24–12 in the final quarter.

With the two-time NBA All-Star Luol Deng as interim coach and federation president, South Sudan now has a history-making World Cup appearance for the first time which they are looking forward to.

This year, the 2023 FIBA World Cup African Qualifiers may feature several first-time participants in this year’s World Cup. The first one of them has already been determined.

South Sudan captured an impressive number of wins in the African Qualifiers, out of the 10 games played so far, the squad has won 9 games and only lost to Senegal in August of last year.

Despite playing for other countries at the international FIBA games, Deng is a South Sudanese born in the city of Wau, Southern Sudan then.

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The Chief Executive Officer Gordian Kyomukama says they are convinced that the sport can help peace building in South Sudan.

“We have convocation that there is huge potential within South Sudan, and we are also very much aware of the opportunities that sports can open up for our youth to build this Country these are some of the reasons that we believe so much and have committed ourselves to the sport in South Sudan,” he said.

We are setting an example for others to emulate and join us in making sure that we develop the talent that we see in the community “Gordian adds.”

Kyomukama calls on the basketball federation to continue making the people of South Sudan happy and help bring peace to the country.

The Vice President of South Sudan Basketball federation Orom Mackmot expresses gratitude to the management of MTN for the sponsorship.

Orom says it’s not easy for a company like MTN to help the federation develop sport in South Sudan.

He calls on other companies and the Government of South Sudan to support sport.

MTN gave 65,000,000 million SSP Equivalent to 100,000 USD to the South Sudan Basketball Federation last year.

The sponsorship deal was agreed to run for 3 years to help in developing basketball in South Sudan.

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Deputy police commissioner in Western Bhar El Ghazal state on Tuesday confirms that Naggers group fought last night which resulted into one person injured at youth centre during the football match on the commemoration of 16 May.

James Simon, says that the incident occur last night in which one person was injured.

Simon reveals that suspects were arrested and they are under investigation in order to face law in the court.

He urges parents to follow and monitor their children because these days there are Nagger group in the state.

Deputy police commissioner says that in the coming days they are going to form a join organize patrol to move day and night in all the areas.

 He adds that if any Naggers group found they will be arrested.

The official made this remark at his office in the police headquarter

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The Chairperson of National Teams Committee of South Sudan Football Association believes that with full financial and morally support the Bright Stars will have a high chance of qualifying to the African Cup of Nations 2023 in Ivory Coast.

Michael Morgan reveals that the goal is to make sure the national team is present at the AFCON 2023 and it will only be achieved through hard work and cooperation.

Morgan says the Bright Stars has drawn in group G of the qualifications with Mali, Gambia and Congo.

He adds that the team is mentally ready to fight for a spot in the AFCON 2023.

The Chairperson reveals that the national association has established several committees to raise funds to facilitate the process of the team in the qualifications.

On 19th April 2022, AFCON 2023 group stage qualifications draws South Sudan in Group G with Mali, Gambia and Congo.

South Sudan is expected to play the first game of the qualifications with Gambia on 30th May 2022 in Gambia.

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Sports martyrs’ tournament concluded with a call for genuine unity and peaceful coexistence among the people of Western Bahr el Ghazal State.

The Chairperson of the organizing committee, Grace Hassan Martin, reveals that the tournament aims at honouring the lost athletes, Voice of Hope Radio reported.

She adds that, the expected outcomes of the tournament was hindered and negatively affected by tribalism and disunity amidst the people.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Mohammed Ali Goni while honouring relatives of the lost athletes, urges people of Wau to cooperate for better development in the sports sector.

Acting Governor, Zachariah Joseph Garang, urges athletes and sport lovers to set aside their social or political differences during sports activities because games play a great role in uniting the people.

The first ever Sports Martyrs’ Tournament concluded by Obama Saloon team being crown as the champion after defeating Mastabh team 2-1 on Sunday night at Wau Youth Center in Wau.

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