Mission Empowerment Africa, a national organization dedicated to peacebuilding, youth, and women empowerment, has launched a sports initiative in Jonglei State’s capital, Bor, aimed at nurturing talents among students.
The event launched on Wednesday brought together nine secondary schools from across South Sudan to compete in various athletics events.
The initiative seeks to identify and nurture hidden talent among student-athletes who will represent their schools at the regional competition, set to conclude in Juba on April 11, 2025.
Malaak Philip Chol, Executive Director of Mission Empowering Africa, urged students to stay engaged in education and avoid involvement in violent gang activities within their communities.
‘’My message to the young people is that this opportunity here is a nice opportunity for you. Instead of joining the gang group, getting the panga and cutting people anyhow, why don’t you join the athletes.’’ He stated.
‘’We are looking forward and in the next two years from now South Sudan will be fully represented in athletics and the athletes we are going to get here will form the Jonglei Athletes team. So far we have covered three states and after here we are going to do another one in Rumbek.’’ He added.
Chol said his organization was planning to conduct the same event in all ten states and administrative areas and would later form South Sudan Athletes team.
He pointed out that winners from the participating schools will advance to the regional level, where they will compete for top honour in Juba.
The competition will culminate in a football match between teachers from St. Andrew High School and Royal High School on the final day of the event.
