By Kei Emmanuel Duku
South Sudan Football Association has suspended “Sports Hunter-South Sudan” an online sports platform, from attending any sports activities organized by the association.
Spokesperson, Albino Kuek announced this directive following a meeting held between Sports Hunter’s Staff and SSFA Spokesperson.
The Sports Hunter had ran a joint statement issued by SSFA Spokesperson, Association President, Augustino Madut and Wiyual Lampouch on December 23, 2024, at Juba Stadium, following the successful launch of South Sudan’s inaugural Premier League.
During the press conference, Kueth had threatened to shut down social media platforms, such as WhatsApp, used to criticize the association’s leadership and certain administrative decisions made without wider consultation with football stakeholders, including the association’s general assembly.
According to a letter issued by the administration of Sports Hunter-South Sudan on January 2, 2025, the online platform acknowledged receiving communication from the SSFA Spokesperson directing them to cease coverage of all sports activities organized by the association, effective December 31, 2024.
“We (Sports Hunter-South Sudan) have ceased coverage of all SSFA sports activities, including the ongoing South Sudan Premier League. This decision was reached after a joint meeting in Albino Kuek’s office with our staff at the association headquarters,” reads the Press Release.
During the meeting, Albino Kuek accused the online blogger of working with anti-SSFA elements who are allegedly plotting to overthrow the current leadership of the association in the upcoming mid-term elections and spreading false information through WhatsApp and other various social media platforms.
However, in response to the SSFA’s decision, the management of Sports Hunter-South Sudan stated their commitment to serving their social media followers with accurate and fair content.
The letter further stated that the administration would adhere to the directives from the association spokesperson to protect the integrity of its staff while avoiding conflict and pleasing certain individuals or institutions.
The South Sudan Football Association has recently come under scrutiny on various social media platforms, particularly Juba Football Today and Football Development Forum WhatsApp, regarding the criteria used for selecting teams to participate in the historic South Sudan Premier League and the perceived poor design of the league logo.
This criticism did not sit well with certain individuals within the association, including Albino Kuek.
Responding during the December 23rd Press Conference, South Sudan Football Association President Augustino Madut stated that every decision taken to kick off the Premier League is subject to review and that the association will continuously amend certain decisions to better reflect public opinion.
“I heard people expressing concerns about the colors of our country not aligning with the colors used in the Premier League logo. If that is the case, it can be changed. Anything linked to our national flag should not be altered, and that is a genuine point that should be corrected immediately,” stated Madut.