South Sudan got talent and it’s important to leverage the talents in young people especially young girls.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) donated sports- equipment - a full rugby kit from which consisted of headgear, boots, rugby balls, attire, skin tights, and socks to support female rugby players in Juba to Tag Rugby Trust South Sudan, that oversees the Female Rugby Team in Juba. Ademola Olajide, the Representative of UNFPA said that the donation is part of their effort to promote gender and positive social norms among female athletes in South Sudan.
Dr Demola Olajide, the Representative of UNFPA said that the support to the female team is part of their effort to promote gender and positive social norms in South Sudan for the girls to achieve their potential. The female athletes are one of the groups we consider as examples to change perception in society that girls too can play male dominated sports and excel.
We will continue to leverage the platform of sports to challenge social and gender biases and also promote gender equality and women empowerment," Olajide said during the donation at Dr. Biar Sport complex.
Rugby is beyond sports in South Sudan, it promotes discipline, hard-working, unity amongst different tribes and keep the girls in school to complete their education as they grow in to responsible citizens.
Edward Settimo Yubu, the Director General for Sports at the National Ministry of Youth and Sports said that there is a need to support and strengthen the game of rugby from grassroots to pave the way for local players to participate at international level. Yubu pledged the Ministry’s support to the Trust member to advocate for recognition and funding.
Lobojja Ceasor Ronald, the President of Tag Rugby Trust South Sudan said that they have opened three grassroots training camps for rugby, adding that they are working to raise grassroots rugby.
Rugby attracts young people in our training camps and we give them more than just rugby, teaching them about other aspects of life such as hygiene, drugs, prevention of gang activities, and sanitary hygiene for girls. We also want to take South Sudan to an International level in rugby. In future, we hope to bring the medals home " Ronald said.
Yubu further urged UNFPA to continue with the support they always render to the youths in South Sudan, acknowledging their work.
He urged that any form of sports, as long as it is about building peace, unifying and bringing communities together, should be embraced in the country. The recent wins of the basketball federation has shown us how far sports can take us as a country
UNFPA assured support to the girls especially in sports because of the bias that boys and girls can't do according to gender roles described by society.
UNFPA has taken up the initiative of empowering girls' sports; established the first ever well-equipped female boxing Centre in Jebel, self-care facilities at Buluk ground for Bright Starlets female football team, and now with the Tag Rugby Trust female team in South Sudan.
