Beyond the final whistle: How sport is building peace and hope in South Sudan
As the first light of day spreads across Juba, the sound of whistles, cheering spectators and pounding footsteps marks more than the beginning of another sporting event. Across South Sudan, from football pitches and basketball courts to dusty running tracks, sport is emerging as a powerful force for peace, resilience and hope in a country […]
South Sudan basketball star Wenyen Gabriel lands UNHCR role
South Sudanese basketball star Wenyen Gabriel has been appointed a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, becoming the first professional basketball player to take on the global humanitarian role. The 29-year-old, who fled conflict in Sudan as a child before building a career in the NBA and representing South Sudan at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, was unveiled […]
Cabinet approves support for South Sudan’s national teams
South Sudan’s national sports teams have received a major boost after the Council of Ministers approved new measures to support the country’s national teams, reaffirming the government’s commitment to sports development at a crucial period when several teams are preparing for continental and international qualifiers. The decision comes as South Sudan intensifies preparations for major […]
How Mangok Mathiang’s Basketball clinic inspires South Sudan’s next generation
For three days, the sound of bouncing basketballs, cheering spectators, and words of encouragement filled the courts of Juba as South Sudanese basketball star and coach Mangok Mathiang returned home to host a basketball clinic aimed at inspiring young people and giving back to the community that shaped him. The initiative, organized through Mango Hoops, […]
South Sudan fall to Czech Republic in women’s world cup qualifiers
The women’s national basketball team of South Sudan suffered a heavy defeat after falling 89–52 to Czech Republic in a match of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifiers. South Sudan struggled to keep pace with the experienced European side throughout the contest, as the Czech Republic dominated both offensively and defensively to secure a […]
Stanbic Bank, NBA Africa partner to grow basketball in South Sudan
The Government of South Sudan has praised a partnership between Stanbic Bank South Sudan, NBA Africa and the Luol Deng Foundation aimed at expanding basketball and empowering young people across the country. The officials made the remarks during the finals of the second edition of the Stanbic Jr. NBA League held in Juba, bringing together […]
Gumbo Hawks staged late comeback to clinch Stanbic Bank Jr. NBA League championship
A dramatic fourth-quarter comeback saw Gumbo Hawks beat Liberty Clippers 38–37 to win this year’s edition of the Stanbic Bank Jr. NBA League in Juba. The final, played at the Nimra Talata basketball court, delivered a tense contest that kept spectators on edge until the final whistle. For much of the game, Liberty Clippers appeared […]
A journey to community- the struggles of a former child soldier finding a community
Wheelchair basketball did not simply give Amaudit Makuei Manyiel a sport. It gave him a way back into society. “Wheelchair basketball gave me a new identity not as a victim or former fighter, but as a teammate, competitor and survivor. That’s where my healing really began,” says Amaudit, a former child soldier from South Sudan. […]
South Sudan clinches second win in FIBA world cup qualifiers
South Sudan’s national basketball team has continued its strong start in the FIBA World Cup 2027 African Qualifiers, securing a convincing 109–79 victory over Cape Verde on Friday. This win follows South Sudan’s opening triumph against Libya in Tunisia, where the Bright Stars defeated the Libyan side 79–55, giving the team two wins in as […]
Women harness sports to build peace and shape decisions
In South Sudan, where leadership roles have long been dominated by men, a new generation of women is rising and they are doing it through sports. Among them are Jackline Santino and Sarah Kiko, whose election to key positions in the Central Equatoria State Basketball Association (CESBA) marks a powerful shift in gender representation and […]
