The government, in collaboration with MTN and the
basketball association, has announced plans to conduct public screenings for
the Olympic Games in nine states and one administrative district.
A public screening is the showing of moving pictures to
an audience in a public place such as stadiums, roadsides, and freedom squares.
The areas that will benefit from this initiative include
Central Equatoria, Northern Bhar el Ghazel, Eastern Equatoria, Western
Equatoria, Jonglei, Lakes, Warrap, Western Bhar el Ghazel, Unity State, and the
Abyei Administrative Area.
It’s unclear why the games’ public screenings will not be
conducted in Upper Nile State and the Graeter Pibor and Ruweng administrative areas.
"The government wishes to invite the public in these
locations to go and experience live action by our Bright Stars Basketball team
on Sunday 28th, with Puerto Rico; Wednesday 31st, with USA; and Aug. 3rd, with
Serbia," said Dr. Joseph Geng Akech, minister of Youth and Sports.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports also announced that it
will provide printed T-shirts for those attending the matches.
Geng expressed the ministry's appreciation for Trinity
Energy Limited for putting up promotional billboards in Juba in honor of the
Bright Stars and MTN South Sudan for providing public screens.
This initiative comes following the remarkable success of
the South Sudan basketball team, the Bright Stars. The team, formed in 2011,
has made significant strides, culminating in their qualification for the 2024
Olympics.
Their journey to the Olympics is a testament to the
efforts of former NBA star Luol Deng, who serves as the president and assistant
coach for the club.
The Bright Stars' diverse roster, which includes players
from different backgrounds and former NBA players, has contributed to the
team's success.
Their strong performance in their international debut at
the 2023 World Cup led to their qualification for the Olympics.
As the nation gears up to support the Bright Stars in the
upcoming Olympic games, the government and its partners seek to foster a sense
of unity through nationwide viewing of the national team performing in Paris.
