S. Sudan: Junior competition 4-8 Aug kicks off at Juba Football Stadium

A football tournament involving junior teams from all the ten states of Southern Sudan kicked off on Tuesday at Juba Football Stadium, South Sudan.

The final winning team will represent Southern Sudan in the East African secondary school sports competitions due to start at the end of this month in Uganda.

Another tournament for under 17's, where about 14 African countries will participate, is expected to begin on 19 August 2009 in Juba.



Photo: A team of young girls football players parading at Juba Football Stadium shortly before the matches began, August 4, 2009 (James G. Dak/ST)

Source: Sudan Tribune, Wednesday 5 August 2009 02:30 am, by James Gatdet Dak - South Sudan prepares for East African sports competitions:

August 4, 2009 (JUBA) – A football tournament involving teams from all the ten states of Southern Sudan kicked off on Tuesday in the semi-autonomous region’s capital, Juba.

The participants comprising boys and girls teams were drawn from various secondary schools in the region.

The Minister of Education, Science and Technology, Professor Job Dhuruai, said the final winning team would represent Southern Sudan in the East African secondary school sports competitions due to start at the end of this month in Uganda.

The four-day competitions from 4th to 8th August were opened by the Vice President Dr. Riek Machar who lit the torch, marking the beginning of the tournament.

It will be for the first time that Southern Sudan participates in the Kampala tournament that will witness participation of many countries in East Africa.

Another tournament for teenaged boys and girls under 17 years old, where about 14 African countries will participate, is also expected to begin on 19th August in Juba.

Sudan’s national capital, Khartoum and Wad Medani town in Northern Sudan are also selected to host a number of teams’ competitions.

The Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Gabriel Changson Chang, has requested for an amount of 400,000 Sudanese pounds, which the cabinet has approved, to make necessary preparations for the Juba tournament.

Government of Southern Sudan has embarked on developing and promoting sports and cultural activities which it views as sectors of potential excellence for the region internationally.