By Kei Emmanuel Duku
Minister of Youth and Sports announced that the government, through the National Development Sports Policy 2024-2030, plans to allocate $5 million each year for the development of various sports across the country.
However, the private sector is also encouraged to take the lead in supporting and developing sports.
During the closing day of the Council of East and Central Africa Football Association General Assembly held in Juba on Wednesday, Dr. Joseph Gang Akech emphasized that while the government is committed to developing and promoting various sports disciplines in the country, there is a pressing need for private sector investment.
He highlighted the importance of constructing sports facilities, such as stadiums and training grounds, as well as establishing football academies.
“We want our young people can engage in sports. The private sector will help us build academies so that talent is developed at that young age. The private sector will also help us build infrastructure like stadiums, which we badly need,” said Gang.
The Minister further added government intends to establish a sports development fund, an independent instrument that will attract the private sector and establish a sports science institute in partnership with the University of Juba to train sportsmen and women of various sporting disciplines in the country.
“When you talk about sports, there is also the management, which must be enhanced. These strategies and programs, we hope, will bring along South Sudan with other countries that are leading in sports around the world,” he added.
He emphasizes the crucial role sports plays in achieving lasting peace, and unity and strengthening the country’s relationship with other nations globally.
Additionally, he said the ministry before the end of the year will appoint sports ambassadors of various nationalists to promote the country’s sports talent in the global arena.