South Sudan’s basketball players know very well that the people in their country rarely enjoy the aforementioned things.
In the world’s youngest state, which gained independence in 2011, armed conflict, violence and customary impunity continue to persist.
But for now, the people of the country in northeast Africa have reason to be happy. They proudly watch the performance of the basketball team, which is writing one of the most interesting stories of the Paris Olympics.
“There are things that are more important than sports. People in our country are being tried hard, we want to let them forget the hardships of everyday life at least for a while,” says Luol Deng, the head of South Sudanese basketball and a former overseas NBA player.
Children of refugees
Despite huge oil reserves, South Sudan is one of the poorest countries in the world. He fought for independence from the “great” Sudan for a long time, the war did not end even after the declaration of independence.
Millions of residents have been displaced, dispossessed and continue to live in fear. In addition, the country is ravaged by natural disasters, hunger and economic collapse. Those who can flee the poor region, mostly to Europe.
Such was the fate of most basketball players who represent the country at the Olympics in Paris. Their parents sold their modest possessions and set out on a thorny path to a better life.
“Mum told me how close she was to death during a dangerous voyage on a boat with migrants when they were caught in bad weather at sea. Some of her friends did not survive the trip,” recalls Nuni Omot.
The clever pivot was among the lucky ones who grew up in the civilized world. Some reached Europe with their families, others went to Israel, others were taken to America.
Deng also succeeded. He started a new life in Great Britain, where he gradually developed into the best basketball player in the country. In 2004, he became the seventh pick of the overseas NBA draft, and played for Phoenix, Cleveland, Miami and Minnesota.
After finishing his playing career, he moved to the position of an official. He honestly admits that his goal was initially just a big dream.
“I saw that our nation has great potential in terms of basketball. Many boys are tall, slim, with wide arms. In addition, they are very clever with the ball. However, the big problem is the lack of infrastructure,” says Deng.
Out of your own pocket
However, the former elite winger was not discouraged. After thorough scouting, he put together a group of 15 players who, under the guidance of coach Royal Ivey, began to prepare for the 2023 World Cup.
paris basketball American Stephen Curry and Marial Shayok from South Sudan fighting for the ball.
There, the South Sudanese won an Olympic place in Paris. However, their hardships continued.
“We don’t have a single air-conditioned hall in the country, we had to look for training conditions outside the borders. It would not have been possible without Luol’s efforts. For the last four years, he financed the team’s preparation practically by himself. He paid for hotels, flights, training sessions. He loves basketball, but above all he loves his nation,” coach Ivey praises his boss.
However, Deng does not want any merit medals. He says that his main effort was to unite the team into a unified whole and thereby show his compatriots that even a divided nation can be united.
“South Sudan has 64 different tribes. Our team is also made up of people from different regions and clans, everyone has a different mentality. It wasn’t easy to tune into the same wave at first,” he admits.
However, we can say with exaggeration that they have one thing in common – jet-black skin, typical of equatorial Africa.
“It is our identity. We joke among ourselves that if the electricity didn’t work in the hall and we had to play in the dark, even Michael Jordan wouldn’t stand a chance against us,” laughs winger Marial Shayok.
Paradoxically, the nickname of the team is “Bright Stars” – translated as bright stars…
A chance for the quarter-finals
The hard work of Deng and his team, who had to gather players from all over the world, as the South Sudanese play at club level from the USA to China to Australia, finally paid off.
Photo: TASR/AP, Michael Conroy
Sudan basketball South Sudan pivot Nuni Omot to the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
After the results in the preparation, the entire basketball community commented on the African team with respect. He was particularly impressed by his performance against the star-studded USA team.
A huge surprise was almost born in London, when the narrowest triumph of the Americans 101:100 was decided only by the delivery of the ageless LeBron James eight seconds before the end of the duel.
“We may have underestimated them a little at the beginning, but that doesn’t change the fact that they performed really well. But I can promise the fans that it will be a different match in Paris,” said James after the London drama.
The USA and South Sudan are together in the Olympic C-group, in addition to them, Serbia and Puerto Rico also figure there. It was against Puerto Rico that the Africans achieved a historic triumph, when they triumphed 90:79 in their first match under five rings.
Before the opening jump, they were not even upset by the fact that the organizers played them the anthem of the “hated” Sudan instead of their anthem.
“It got us excited. We felt it was unfair that they played the anthem of a country with which we were at war. We wanted to win very much and we are happy that we succeeded,” quarterback Peter Jok responded.
Wednesday’s game against the Americans was no longer as close as the preparatory duel in London, but the South Sudanese left after losing 98:103 with their heads held high.
Their historic participation in the Olympics may be extended until next week.
On Saturday, they will play their final match in the group against Serbia, and in case of a favorable result, they will advance to the playoffs. The best eight teams from the 12 participants in the tournament will secure their participation in the quarterfinals.
“During my career, I heard from all sides that we are victims of war, children of refugees. In Paris, we are also fighting to create the identity of a strong team that can succeed even against stronger opponents. We want to show the children in our country that everyone can dream their dreams,” emphasizes Deng.
Source: sportweb.pravda.sk
