Kiir to basketball team: ‘you indeed made us proud’

JUBA – President Salva Kiir Mayardit has praised the performance of the national basketball team, saying they ‘indeed’ made the war-ravaged world’s youngest country proud.

Kiir made the remarks during a meeting this afternoon at the state house J1 where he met the team after returning from Tunisia where they beat Egypt, one of the best-performing team un Africa, to only need one win to qualify for the FIBA World Cup.

“Your victory has united the people of South Sudan and recruited many friends for us. You have started a fight to put South Sudan into the World Map to be recognized, you made us proud and our heads are held high because of you,” Kiir said.

The South Sudanese president revealed that he wanted to go to the airport to welcome the team, but other commitments such as preparation for the graduation of the unified forces which happened on Tuesday, as well as flight delay, interrupted his plan.

“I had wanted to come to the airport to receive you upon arrival from Tunisia but because of the flight delay and other circumstances regarding the graduation of the National Unified Forces that we did yesterday, I could not make it,” Kiir said.

“I was ready to lead South Sudanese to receive you upon arrival at Juba International airport. I will continue to work hand in hand with you to ensure that you get whatever you need to get you to perform better at your field,” he added.

The president revealed that he had asked Kuol Manyang Juuk, the presidential senior advisor and former minister of defense, to escort the team to Tunisia.

“I told Kuol, you go and tell our sons that you have made us very proud and our heads are up because of you. Tell them to keep pushing a head, keep pushing forward. I am behind you and I will do anything possible to promote you,” he said, adding that “you indeed made us proud.”

For his part, Manyang told the team that the government will support the young people because it is their responsibility to develop the country.

“This is your home and it is your responsibility to work for it. You defeated people in their own homes. To raise the flag of South Sudan high and it makes us so proud,” he said.

Luol Deng, the president of the basketball association said: “When going for the games, we have always talked about what it would mean for our country and for our people.”

“We are fighting for the World to recognize our country and our potential and when we get the support from home. It gives us moral and we feel the sense of our people being ready to be united and together.”