April 3, 2024 (JUBA) – South Sudan is spurring corporate support ahead upcoming competition in the Olympic games in Paris, ushering in a formal approach to organizing sporting activities in the country.
The minister of youth and sports, Joseph Geng Akech, met and held talks on April 3, 2024, with the chief executive officer of MTN South Sudan, Ali Monzer. The undersecretary of the ministry Deborah Akec and other high-ranking officials were in attendance.
The meeting discussed strategic collaboration on sports in preparation for the upcoming Paris Olympic games and expanding sponsorship for sports.
The discussion highlighted the importance of the nationwide inter-state tournaments, recognizing the role of corporative bodies and public institutions in promoting and building the capacity of sports in the country.
Cordial and frank, it agreed to engage international and national media.
As part of preparation aimed at galvanizing support, the ministry will embark on a sensitization activity spanning talks shows, branding, sharing media plans, and installing screens in towns to involve and animate fans in games in preparation to follow the performance of the basketball team during the upcoming competition in Paris, French.
Other activities include organizing prayers for national basketball teams, and avail kits for athletes participating in the upcoming interest state tournament.
South Sudan is the only African country expected to compete at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris from July 26 through August 2024. It would be the nation’s third appearance at the Summer Olympics since its debut in 2016.
Represented by its national team, Bright Stars, which qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games in Manila, Philippines, a first in the history of the young nation, the country is preparing for nationwide support.
Fans and sports analysts have commended the performance of the basketball team, with senior government officials lauding the efforts exerted by some of its players, most of whom live in the diaspora.
In July, South Sudan will join Japan and Australia in Paris, two of whom are already the highest-ranked teams hailing from the Americas, with the top two coming from Europe, and the top finisher from Asia, Oceania, and Africa, represented by South Sudan.
(ST)