By Kei Emmanuel Duku
South Sudanese basketball fans will have the opportunity to watch their national team compete in the Paris 2024 Olympics live from over ten fan zones across the country.
The games, which kicked off yesterday, mark the first time South Sudan is participating in the Olympic basketball tournament. Despite challenges faced by many fans in securing visas to travel to France, local organizers have established viewing centres in Juba, other states, and the Abyei Administrative Area.
In Central Equatoria, fans can gather at Nimra Talata Basketball Stadium, Gudele Two Gurei Football Ground, and 164 Pub in Gudele. Other viewing spots include NOTOS Pub along Riverside and Klear Benics in Gumbo Sherikat.
Eastern Equatorial will host fans at the Municipal Fence in Torit, while Jonglei State has designated Ariop Hotel in Bor as a fan zone. Abyei Administrative Area will screen the games at the local basketball court.
As excitement builds for the opening game against Puerto Rico on Sunday, concerns over fan safety have emerged. Additionally, the absence of fan zones in densely populated areas like Hai Referendum, Munuki, New Site, Yei Road Checkpoint, and POC has raised questions.