The wrestling
scene in South Sudan is experiencing significant expansion as it is gaining
greater appeal among a variety of communities.
The sport's
roots date back to 1958, when the first match took place in Bor County, Jonglei
State.
It then
spread to several regions, including the Lakes, Central Equatoria, and Eastern
Equatoria states.
Other
communities, including Aliab, Ciec, and Mundari, later adopted and practiced
this.
As of now,
the game is being introduced to the Mabolo, Agar, and Gok communities.
Speaking at a
sports financing conference in Juba, Kuol Bol Ayom, secretary general of the
South Sudan Wrestling Federation (SSWF), emphasized the role of wrestling in
community building.
“A high rate
of intermarriages among the wrestling communities is unequivocally observed.
Tribal conflicts, cattle theft, and cattle rustlings have been significantly
reduced among the Wrestling states,” Bol said on Friday.
“It promotes
peace, harmony and unity among all ethnic groups. It disengages youth from
exercising malpractices such as tribal conflicts, cattle rustling, robbery, and
child and women abductions.”
Despite the
impact, since its founding in 2016, the federation has struggled with financial
constraints, which hinder its ability to develop the infrastructure needed for
the sport’s growth.
“We lack a
standard field or stadium to be used as a wrestling ground. The other is the
financial inability of the federation to train and stimulate capacity building
for the wrestlers,” Bol explained.
He urged
stakeholders to fund sports that would contribute to the country's economic
growth.
“We are
seeking donors to sponsor inter-state, regional, and international tournaments.
The construction of wrestling fields to merchandize the wrestling games in the
form of income-generating activities,” he added.
Wrestling in
South Sudan is not just a sport—it is a tool for unity, peace, and cultural
exchange.
Despite the
setbacks, SSWF continues to push forward with its mission, hoping to elevate
the sport to new heights both locally and internationally.