South Sudan approves $6.5 million for basketball world cup campaign

The council of ministers on Friday approved $6.5 million (approximately SSP6.3 billion) to facilitate the participation of the national basketball team in the FIBA World Cup 2023.

This comes after the minister, Dr. Albino Bol, requested a budget from the government to fund the national basketball team’s participation in the upcoming tournament.

Addressing the press yesterday after the cabinet meeting, Michael Makuei, the information minister, said the money approved will support the team, fourth-floor dancers, and basketball fans.

“This money will be used for the facilitation of the team’s travel to the United Arab Emirates and Australia for the final training of the team before the final world cup, which will be in Asia,” Makuei said.

“Our team has done very well, and we are now going to the World Cup final, and if we are going to the World Cup final, we need a budget to facilitate the team. We will take the fourth-floor dancers and the fans to support our team; all these people need to be transported,” he explained.

The minister said the recent tour of the World Cup trophy is not enough; the team needs to bring the silverware home.

He said the minister of finance has been directed to pay the money to the ministry of youth and sports to facilitate the participation of the national basketball team.

The four-team tournament will feature South Sudan, Brazil, Venezuela, and hosts Australia and be played at the Rod Laver Arena from August 14 to 17, 2023.

The Bright Stars qualified for their maiden FIBA World Cup early this year in impressive style, ending competition on top with only one loss out of 12 games in their qualification group.

On August 16, South Sudan will play against Venezuela, and Australia will take on Brazil.

The last competition will be on Thursday, August 17, with Venezuela taking on Brazil and South Sudan playing against Australia.