The Olympic basketball team from South Sudan has ignited hope and excitement in the youngest country in the world. Since gaining independence in 2011, South Sudan has experienced ongoing conflicts and humanitarian disasters. Now, the nation is seeing a real possibility of its team stepping onto the podium in its first appearance at the Olympics.
The team’s qualification for the Paris Olympics captured headlines across South Sudan, a stark contrast to the usual coverage of conflict and hardship that has dominated the news for years. This achievement is a historic milestone for a nation that has only existed for 13 years, giving its citizens something to rally around through a basketball team that has the potential to be the surprise of the tournament.
As the only African representative in Olympic basketball, South Sudan made history by finishing as the highest-ranked African team at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, surpassing notable teams like Angola and Egypt. Recently, the “Bright Stars” showcased their abilities by nearly defeating the U.S. Olympic team, the tournament’s strongest squad. They lost in the final moments, with LeBron James sinking a last-second shot, securing a 101-100 victory for the Americans.
In response to this remarkable performance, South Sudan’s president, Salva Kiir, expressed pride, noting that the team has inspired many around the globe to recognize that South Sudan has much to offer.
In the preliminary rounds, South Sudan will face tough competition in Group C, taking on Puerto Rico, Serbia, and another matchup against the United States, where they will seek revenge. Although they are not the favorites, Sudán del Sur aims to prove itself on the world stage.
Coached by NBA legend Royal Ivey and led in Paris by former Lakers and Clippers player Wenyen Gabriel, along with captain Kuany Kuany and other notable players like JT Thor and Bol Bol, the team aspires to put South Sudan on the global map.
Messages of pride can be seen on social media, reflecting gratitude for the Bright Stars’ qualification. Their achievements symbolize not just South Sudan’s hopes but represent the aspirations of an entire continent.
Despite being one of the poorest countries in the world, according to the International Monetary Fund, and grappling with the aftermath of civil war, South Sudan has discovered joy and excitement through basketball. Royal Ivey mentioned that during games, “the violence ceases, everything stops.”
In 2023, elated after qualification, Ivey spoke at a press conference about the significance of competing in the Olympics, recalling that just a year earlier, they were training outdoors among eagles and in flooded courts.
Players like Nuni Omot, who was born in a refugee camp in Kenya, and Peter Jok, who fled to Uganda after his father and grandparents were killed in the civil war, embody the struggle to put South Sudan on the global map.
Wenyen Gabriel highlighted the team’s mission, stating, “We are a group of refugees who gather for a few weeks each year to compete against some of the best players in history. This is so much bigger than basketball for us.”
Image and News Source: https://www.infobae.com/america/agencias/2024/07/24/sudan-del-sur-un-pais-necesitado-de-ilusion-se-encomienda-al-baloncesto-olimpico-en-paris/
