South Sudan Sport Thread

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Kick boxing comes to Juba

Saturday, 13 August 2011 16:41 Sport >>>

The Kick Boxing and Karate Association in the Ministry of Youth and Sport is set to launch kick boxing training in Juba to promote the development of martial arts in South Sudan.

Speaking to Radio Miraya, national trainer with the Association, Puro Okello Obob, said they have set operational goals to promote and develop the sport of kickboxing in south Sudan.

He urged men and women in South Sudan to get in the habit of developing sports skills in the country.

The Association invited participants from Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Cong, Ethiopia and Uganda to the official launching of a martial arts and kick boxing event to take place Saturday in Juba.

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S. Sudan ready to participate in East Africa secondary Competitions

Saturday, 13 August 2011 15:07 Sport >>>

The 4th East Africa Secondary Schools Competitions will kick off at the end of August in Mbarari Eastern Uganda, according to the General Director for Co-curriculum in Ministry of Education, Mr Daffallah Deng Tiel. For the first time this year South Sudan will participate as independent country.

Deng told Radio Miraya that preparations, coaching and training of the teams is going well.

All those participating in the competitions will arrive in Juba on August 15 th for final preparations before the competitions begin.

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S.South to participate in All-Africa Games in Maputo

Sunday, 14 August 2011 20:07 Sport >>>

The Caretaker Minister of Youth, Sports and Recreation, Makuac Teny, said South Sudan has been invited to participate in the All-Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique this year.

Teny has called on the government to facilitate the selection of South Sudanese sportsmen and women to attend.

The 10th All-Africa Games will start on September 3rd and end 30th of September.
Miraya FM

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Cecafa to plead South Sudan's case to FIFA


(Saturday, September 3 2011)-Zanzibar and South Sudan have applied to join the world soccer governing body Fifa.


And the Council of East and Central Africa Football Association is ready to help fast track their applications.


Although the country’s application has been rejected, the Zanzibar Football Association (ZFA) secretary general Mzee Zam Ali, has asked the Ministry of Information, Tourism, Culture and Sports to continue fighting for its membership jointly with the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF).


Fifa rejected Zanzibar’s application on the grounds that it lacked sovereignty.


“It’s true we have received official communication from Fifa secretary general notifying us of the collapse of our membership bid,” said Ali. “But this is not the end of the road as the ministry should strengthen co-operation with ZFA in search of the membership card from Fifa.”


In a letter, Fifa pointed out that Zanzibar was part of the United Republic of Tanzania and there was no way the body would allow the Isle’s membership. Zanzibar plays in the Cecafa tournaments but not in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and Fifa competitions.


While South Sudan’s application will definitely be endorsed, the country will have to wait two years before it can participate in international competitions.


Cecafa secretary general Nicholas Musonye, however, said the regional body will plead South Sudan’s case given the country was competing in international competitions before seceding from the larger Sudan.



“The rules are very clear; it takes two years for a new member to be accepted but we can always push for special dispensation,” said Musonye who is also awaiting for an application by South Sudan to become the 12th member of the regional body.
He said South Sudan is welcome to join the regional body.


“We are excited at the prospect of having a new member in our stable,” said Musonye.


Hassan Abu Jamal, the executive secretary general of the Sudan Football Association, sees soccer as a unifying factor and a vehicle to lift the people’s morale.


“The game will help build national identity in South Sudan, strengthen national unity and overcome ethnic tensions,” said Abu Jamal.


He said the country would also appreciate CAF and Fifa’s help in helping them grow as a nation in football.


“We know we will get that help; and if it means waiting two years before we can play in international competitions, we are ready,” said Abu Jamal.


But there are challenges South Sudan has to overcome as it moves to build the sport, with players who have over the years jointly represented the country in international competitions with those from Khartoum.

Link

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South Sudan bags three silvers in the East African schools tournament

JUBA, 9 September 2011 – The Republic of South Sudan bagged three silver medals – one in basketball and two in athletics – at the East African Secondary Schools Association Games which closed over the weekend in Mbarara, Uganda.


In an exclusive interview with GOSS.ORG reporter the Deputy Director of Co-Curricular Activities in the Ministry of General Education and Instruction Mr Charles Sokivi Thomas lauded the performance taking into account that South Sudan is the youngest country in the bloc and has several challenges in sports.


Bentiu Secondary School won a silver medal in boys’ basketball and the other two in athletics.


Mr Sokivi explained that South Sudan, which is a member of the association, has been participating in the games since 2008. He said that each member must present at least four teams, both boys and girls, in the games to qualify as a member. He reported that South Sudan has met this threshold. Furthermore, he explained, that 2011 was the first time South Sudan presented a girls’ football team a development which he described as progressive.


He explained that South Sudan’s performance at the games has been improving since 2008. He said that it is the recognition of this improvement that South Sudan’s basketball team was selected to represent the federation in the inter-continental games in Ohio, USA held last month. He regretted, however, that the team could not travel owing to the Khartoum government’s reluctance to issue its members with the necessary travel documents.


Mr Sokivi explained that South Sudan would perform better if the various challenges school sports in the country faces were addressed. He cited lack of qualified coaches, inadequate sporting programmes, and inconsistency in training and practice as some of the challenges that schools face regarding sports. He emphasized the need to train sports trainers.


He also suggested that every school should have a sports teacher, current sports teachers and coaches should get access to refresher courses to update their skills, talent search scheme to identify and nurture youth talented in sports should be developed, executives in the central and state governments should support sports in their respective schools, awareness of the value of sports to the country and individuals should be created, and sports be mainstreamed in the schools curricula.

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South Sudan joins Supreme Council for Sports in Africa.

Friday, 23 September 2011 21:01 Sport >>>

South Sudan has gained membership to the Supreme Council for Sports in Africa, according to the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Cirino Hiteng Ofuho.

Addressing a press conference in Juba on Friday, Hiteng explained that as a member of the Supreme Council of Sports in Africa, South Sudan qualifies to participate in all African and regional games.

Hiteng said the country is also in the process of applying for membership to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the World Football Governing Body (FIFA).

Link

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Sarah Chan

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CAF President welcomes South Sudan delegation

(09-24-2011)The Confederation of African Football president Mr Issa Hayatou received a delegation from the world’s newest country, South Sudan on Saturday 24th September at his offices in Cairo. South Sudan became an independent state on the 09th of July 2011. Mr Duop Puoch Joak led the delegation that paid a courtesy call on CAF president. Also part of the visiting team were Mr Rodolf Andrea Ojika, Mr Yohanis Musa Pouk, Mr Andrea Abdalla Dimiti and Mr Sestilio Juba.

They discussed among other things the issue regarding South Sudan’s admission into the football family. Mr Rodolf Andrea Ojika said that
the South Sudan Football Association (SSFA) have experienced administrators and various facilities in place, and were excited to be at CAF Headquarters to request CAF for support towards their admission into the International Football family.

CAF president Mr Hayatou reiterated his pride and support to South Sudan, saying that CAF will assist South Sudan and the organisation will send a delegation to the country before the end of this year to assess the facilities on the ground and provide a report to the upcoming CAF General Assembly on February 10th 2012 in Libreville to allow its inclusion as the 54th member association of CAF, in line with articles 4 and 5 of the CAF Statutes. Upon approval of the General Assembly, CAF would then be in a position to submit to FIFA a report to request inclusion of SSFA into the worldwide football family.

CAF

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NBA Sports Envoy Dikembe Mutombo arrives in S.Sudan

Saturday, 22 October 2011 15:54 Sport >>>

The United States' National Basketball Association (NBA) sports envoy, Dikembe Mutombo, has arrived in Juba for a one week "sports diplomacy" tour.

According to a statement on the U.S. Department of State website, "Sports diplomacy embraces the use of a full range of diplomatic tools, including sports, to bring people together for greater understanding." Mutombo is a Congolese-American who played professional basketball in the United States. He is now retired.

On Saturday Mutombo presided over a basketball tournament between Uganda and South Sudan at Nimra Talata Basketball Court. He is slated to lead a series of basketball clinics and teambuilding exercises with young South Sudanese, and will also participate in a scholarship program that works to bridge barriers and provide gender equality in education for women and girls, as well as under-served boys.

Meanwhile, the Director General of Sports in the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Edward Settimo Yugu, called for continuous support for sports to develop the talents of South Sudanese.
Miraya FM

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Adhar Mayen

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South Sudan to join African football body

JUBA, 29 October 2011 (NASS) – The Republic of South Sudan will join the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the association governing football on the continent, permanently by February 2012, Captain Duop Pouch Joak, the deputy chairperson of the South Sudan Football Association has announced.


Captain Joak made this announcement when he met Hon Dr Barnaba Marial Benjamin, the minister for Information and Broadcasting and Official Government Spokesman late last week. He urged the government to take sports seriously as a possible source of revenue.


“The government should not only consider petroleum as a source of income but also consider football as well because it can generate immense income besides uniting the nation in the fight against tribalism and negative ethnicity”, he said.


He also urged the government to develop sporting facilities such as stadia to enable the country to participate in international sporting events organized by international bodies such as FIFA. He expressed confidence that the Republic of South Sudan has the potential and experience to participate effectively in regional and international football. He also called on the government officers to support the development of sports in the country.


On his part, Dr Marial underscored the role of sports in promoting the image of nations worldwide. He cited the case of Kenya whose image has been enhanced by its athletes. He also expressed confidence that South Sudan has what it takes to curve a niche for itself in sports, including football.


“I know that in Europe the budget for sports is bigger than it is in Africa but I want to assure you that the government will support sports and the youth unreservedly”, he said.

[chiefayic2]

Lakes State: 16 Teams Compete for Governors Tournament Trophy

Friday, 18 November 2011 09:40 Sport >>>

Sixteen teams are competing for a trophy in the Lakes State Governor’s tournament that kicked off on Wednesday in Rumbek town.

Ghazal team beat Bek team 3-0 in the opening group A.

The tournament was organized by the ministry of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports.

The Director General of the Ministry of information, culture, Youth and Sports, Madong William Madding said the tournament formed part of the state government’s pledge to support youth activities.

In basket ball, South Sudanese team Bilfam Warriors beat Uganda Champions 77 points to 70 in a game that was played at the YMCA courts in Kampala on Wednesday.

Miraya’s, Samuel Pawon reported on Thursday that the team that qualifies in the first round of the competition will travel to Nairobi Kenya for the second round of the Peace and Unity championship.

Miraya Fm

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South Sudan Basketball Team Qualifies for Round two

Sunday, 20 November 2011 23:25 Sport >>>

Sudan's basketball club, the Bilpham Warriors, have qualified for the second round of the Peace and Unity championship.

Bilpham Warriors topped group A on Saturday, after Uganda’s Ndejje University basketball club failed to turn up for the match in Kampala.

Radio Miraya's sports reporter in Kampala says it’s not clear why Ndejje basketball club did not turn up for the match at the YMCA basketball court in Kampala.

On Monday, Bilpham basketball club will travel to Nairobi for the second round of Peace and Unity basketball championship.

Miraya FM

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Western Equatoria:Yambio County wins WES Governor’s tournament

Monday, 07 November 2011 12:47 Sport >>>



Yambio County has emerged victor of the Western Equatoria State Governor’s Football Tournament.

Yambio beat Iba County five goals to two, to win the cup in a match that was played at Bude Stadium on Saturday.

Top scorers for Yambio were John Matior, who scored two goals in the first half, and John-D who score the three goals in the second half of the match.

The Minister of Youth, Culture, and Sports, Cirino Hiteng, said that he was optimistic that the Western Equatoria State will contribute a great deal of talent to the South Sudan national football team.

(Miraya Fm)

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Angelo Chol

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Chicago Bulls’ star Luol Deng speaks of ‘joy’ he feels now that his homeland, South Sudan, is free


Chicago Bulls' basketball forward Luol Deng holds up his team's jersey in London in this file photo - he's become the face of basketball in Britain, wehre he spent part of his childhood.
Joel Ryan/AP Phot

CHICAGO—The words appeared on Luol Deng’s Twitter feed at 4:05 p.m. on Nov. 16.

“Eating outside by the Nile River is so peaceful.”

Deng sat there, on the outskirts of Juba, South Sudan, dining with his father, brother and best friend. The sun warmed. The wind calmed. Eventually, his friend, Adam Andre, even jumped in the river. Deng teased him about getting eaten by alligators.

But no. On this day, four months into South Sudan’s remarkable independence, with four of Deng’s eight siblings and his parents having returned home for good, only peaceful moments prevailed.

It’s not unlike the contentment Deng has found in his professional life. Once maligned by Bulls fans for being overpaid and physically and mentally brittle, Deng has become coach Tom Thibodeau’s indispensable part, as reliable and relentless as the mighty Nile’s current.

“He’s relaxed because he knows that everything is cool now,” says Andre, who has known Deng since they attended a New Jersey boarding school together 12 years ago. “There’s peace in South Sudan.”

Deng’s father, Aldo, served as Sudan’s minister of transportation as civil war raged. The family left for Egypt when Luol was 5, eventually landing outside London when England granted Aldo political asylum in 1993.

Deng spent six years in England, left for New Jersey’s Blair Academy at 14 and earned a basketball scholarship at Duke University. After one sparkling season, the Bulls acquired his draft rights in a trade with the Phoenix Suns on June 24, 2004.

Close to eight years later, Deng has matured on and off the court.

“He’s a very nuanced person, a very proud Sudanese,” says assistant coach Ron Adams, who coached Deng as a rookie and returned again last season. “He has a world view. He’s a very giving and aware human being. I love his ability to focus on what is important in life.”

Deng proudly has become the face of basketball in Britain. He takes seriously that responsibility and looks to this summer’s Olympic Games in London as a chance to pay a small debt back to the country that welcomed his family as it escaped the horrors at home.

However, when he, his family and Andre celebrated South Sudan’s independence July 9 along with a crowd estimated at 1 million, the moment overwhelmed Deng.

“Man, it’s unbelievable,” Deng says. “Everywhere I went — London, Jersey, Duke, here — I was that kid from another country. When I go to Sudan now, it’s not that. I’m just home. I’m no longer an outsider or a refugee. I just fit in. It gives me a feeling of peace.”

Deng had been active in the independence movement. Last January, he paid for two charter buses to bring hundreds of Sudanese down from Michigan to vote absentee on the referendum for South Sudan to separate. The 22-year civil war ended in 2005.

Deng needed several seconds — but only one word — to describe how he felt when the referendum passed in February, 2011.

“Joy,” he says.

Deng had returned home in 2010 for the first time since fleeing 20 years before to perform fundraising and community service work for the UN Refugee Agency, one of the many worldly causes he supports. There was one personal benefit to the NBA lockout: Deng travelled to South Sudan for the independence celebration in July and again in November.

“If you go to South Sudan,” Deng says, chuckling, “whoever you meet is probably related to me.”

Though Deng obviously attracts widespread attention on his visits home, Andre insists the quieter moments are equally powerful.

“When we first went back, his mother, Martha, gave me a hug and it was like she was a whole new woman,” he says. “Her face is lit up there. She’s happy and with friends. Lu feeds off that. Him seeing his parents happy and at peace has totally changed him. When we’re there, he’s always smiling, never worried.”

Deng’s first trip home came one month after the Bulls hired Thibodeau.

“He called me right away and told me he had watched every game of mine from the previous season and appreciated how hard I play,” Deng says. “And I appreciated that he saw that. He didn’t call me and talk about scoring or certain moves. He just talked about how hard I play and he wanted me to continue playing that way.”

Deng did, playing all 82 games for the second time in his seven seasons and drawing new notice as an elite defender. But coaches recognized another new wrinkle. Once moody and thin-skinned, an edgier, more confident player emerged.

“I’m not as sensitive,” Deng says. “Ron Adams would tell you that. I was 19 when I came in. As a young player, you focus so much on doing well yourself. Now I’m just focused on winning and the team. And I end up doing the little things and playing better anyway. And I feel so much better doing that.”

Deng is off to another strong start this season. His parents follow his career from South Sudan. Deng talks about the sacrifices they made for him and his siblings. Then he laughs as he says his father remains more interested in Deng’s academic and charitable accomplishments than his athletic ones.

“That day, seeing my parents,” Deng says of South Sudan’s independence, “it’s something I’ll never forget. This is definitely the happiest I’ve been in my life.”

Link

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South Sudan VS Uganda: Friendly

05 February 2012, 15:37

Uganda Cranes will face South Sudan on February 16 after the world’s newest nation confirmed the international friendly.

Bobby Williamson’s side play Congo Brazzaville in the first round of the 2013 Nations Cup qualifiers on Fifa dates February 28-29.

The friendly against South Sudan will help Bobby have a closer look at local-based players to which point he has summoned 23 of them.

The summoned players start training on Monday in preparation for this game.

“More players could be added or some could be removed,” said Bobby.

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