By Philip Buda Ladu
A South Sudanese tycoon in Juba, Bibi Ali, loses his financial temper, donating 100,000 United States dollars to national basketball players as a show of solidarity and unwavering support for the national basketball team.
Despite being knocked out of the 2024 Paris Olympics after losing two of their group C games, the South Sudan basketball team nicknamed the Bright Stars made history as the first team to win a debut match at the Paris Olympics.
The bright stars returned home to a heroic welcome after writing history in the world of basketball, representing the whole of the African continent.
After their arrival at Juba International Airport, the knocked-out basketball heroes were cheered in a procession accompanied by police ambiance to Nimra Talat basketball stadium, Juba, where thousands of fans waited for them.
A historic welcome ceremony was then staged to mark their official welcome home by the fans.
The event was marked by speeches from various dignitaries, including the team captain, Kuany Kuany, player Nuni Omot, SSBF president Luol Deng, government officials, and businessmen.
The short occasion was also graced by numerous musical performances from traditional dance groups and artists, including a comedy interlude from one famous stand-up local comedian known by his stage name, Wokil Jeskomando, whose jokes were aimed at urging citizens to support their sons and daughters.
Tycoon Bibi Ali Bibi Ali and his wife, Chagai Bibi, were honored by the business fraternity to pour out their warm, heartfelt gratitude for the SSD team that made the whole country proud and garnered respect from across the continent and the globe.
Ali emphasized the unity among South Sudanese brought about by sport, particularly the basketball team.
He stated that before South Sudan was not noticed in the world map but now the national basketball team has made South Sudan known in the world through their hard work and potential shown in the Olympics display which united the citizens.
“The unity in sport is our unity; we don’t want personalities. Who you’re and where you come from doesn’t matter; we’re all South Sudanese,” he said.
The business tycoon then lost his money by announcing a contribution of 100,000 US dollars to the players.
“In a nutshell, I am supposed to go and support the team in Paris, but due to some circumstances, I couldn’t make it, but I can assure you that Bibi Ali Empire and the Chagai Foundation have donated 100,000 United States dollars to the players,” he pledged.
For her part, Chagai Bibi expressed her joy as a mother for the history written by the national basketball team, saying she wasn’t a fan of sports but the boys got her always awake to follow and watch their games.
“You brought our nation together; among the 64 tribes, nobody was talking about who they were; it was all about South Sudan,” she stated.
“Everyone, every mother, and every child—those little ones are here because of you. You’re a great example for the following generation. Because of you, most kids will go for basketball because they see the potential,” Mrs. Bibi added.