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Published on 2024-03-21 01:16:56
The South Sudan men’s basketball team, known as the Bright Stars, is gearing up for the 2024 Summer Olympic tournament in Paris. Draw results were announced on March 19, 2024, placing the Bright Stars in a challenging group alongside powerhouse teams such as Team USA, Serbia, and Puerto Rico. As the newest country in the world, South Sudan is making its debut in the Summer Olympics as an underdog, facing tough competition in the group stages.
According to the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) world ranking, Team USA and Serbia are ranked number one and four, respectively, posing a significant challenge for the South Sudan team. If the Bright Stars manage to advance from the group stage, they will face even stronger competition in the knockout stages against other highly-ranked teams.
Interestingly, Serbia and Puerto Rico are not new opponents for the South Sudan team. In the 2023 FIBA World Cup held in Manila, Philippines, both teams competed against South Sudan and China in Group B. While South Sudan did not emerge victorious in those matches, their journey to qualify for the World Cup and subsequently the Olympics reflects their resilience, exceptional talent, and passion for the game.
The Olympic tournament is set to start on July 27 and will conclude on August 10. South Sudan’s first match will be against Puerto Rico on July 28, followed by a game against Team USA on July 31, and a final group stage match against Serbia in August. The group matches will take place at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Lille, with the knockout phase moving to the Accor Arena in Paris.
Despite basketball being a relatively underdeveloped sport in South Sudan, the national team consists mainly of players who compete in leagues outside the country. The South Sudan Basketball Federation (SSBF) aims to promote and develop local basketball by increasing local game opportunities. The government has also pledged to support sports development by enacting sports legislation, implementing a sports policy, increasing sports funding, constructing sports infrastructure, and creating commercialization opportunities for sports to engage young people.
The Bright Stars’ participation in the Olympic tournament has sparked pride among South Sudanese people and boosted enthusiasm for basketball among the youth. With an average height advantage, South Sudanese individuals are suited for basketball, hinting at the country’s potential to become a basketball powerhouse in the future. While this marks South Sudan’s first appearance in an Olympic tournament, continued investment in basketball development could pave the way for future Olympic participation. The Bright Stars are not only showcasing their talents in Paris but are also aiming to exceed expectations as they proudly represent their nation on the global stage.
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