South Sudan is organizing national football
competitions in attempt to promote peace and unity amongst the young nations
diverse ethnic groups often seen as divided by tribal conflicts usually
associated to cattle theft.
The country is also taking advantage
of the exercise to meet requirements needed by international sports
associations to gain membership of various organisations. South Sudan’s Football
Association is organising competition between various clubs to find the
countries best players and teams before finals are held in the capital Juba.
On 18 August Aweil Meriekh club from
Northern Bahr El Ghazal State (NBGS) played Nahda Bentiu Club from Unity State.
The first match was played in Aweil town, the capital of Northern Bahr el
Ghazal, inaugurated by Tong Deng Anei, the state’s Minister of Culture, Youth
and Sports. In other leg was played in Bentiu on 27 August.
With the winning team scheduled to
play in the national semi-final 9 September was stiff competition.
Meriekh Aweil won both matches and
will go on to play in the semi-final on 9 September in the capital Juba.
Garang Akok, Chairman of Meriekh Aweil
Club, told Sudan Tribune on Thursday that he always had confidence in
his team, which won the last game in Bentiu 2-1.
Abdullah Deng, Acting Director General
in the ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture commended the competition and said
his ministry encouraged the healthy competition.
He said that their experience of
playing a high tempo passing game had made the team "professional and
efficient”.
Garang Kuol, Chairman of Northern Bahr
El Ghazal State Football Association, agreed with Deng’s argument about
preparing adequately for matches.
Tong Deng Anei, Minister of Sports in
Northern Bahr el Ghazal said he sees the football competition as an opportunity
to promote peace and unity amongst various youth groups across the country.
“This is very important for the youth
of the entire country and it should be done through fair competition among the
young professional players”, Anei said in a statement.
The Northern Bahr el Ghazal minister
further added that “one of importance aspect of this tournament was that it
brought exchange visits between the young leaders and develops close
relationship among them”.
He congratulated Aweil Meriekh Club
for working hard to win and overcoming not only the other team but the
treacherous muddy road between Rumbek and Bentiu.
"You have won the trust of the
people of Northern Bahr El Ghazal State”, he said in a statement, encouraging
the team to prepare "to face the strong teams that include, Akuach of
Rumbek, Nasir of Juba and Meriekh Renk”.
He also thanked Nahda Bentiu for
having taken their time to come to Aweil despite numerous logistical
difficulties and for welcoming Meriekh Aweil in Bentiu.
“You don’t know how much we have
appreciated the hospitality you accorded to the team," he added.
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