By Kei Emmanuel Duku
South Sudan Basketball National Team received a significant boost in their preparation for the upcoming 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris after the Cabinet approved a budget of $9 million for the team and their accompanying delegation.
Minister of Youths and Sports, Dr. Joseph Geng Akech, presented the budget proposal to the Council of Ministers on Friday.
The Deputy Minister of Information, Dr. Jacob Korok Majiuk, confirmed the approval of the funds to the journalists yesterday in his press briefing after Friday’s meeting.
“The amount presented is $9 million which was approved by the Council of Ministers and the Minister of Finance has been directed to avail this money so that our national team and the delegation can take part in the summer Olympics,” said Dr. Korok.
This marks South Sudan’s third consecutive participation in the Summer Olympics, following appearances in Rio de Janeiro (2016) and Tokyo (2020). However, this will be the first time the Basketball National Team will be competing in the Olympic Games.