First-ever girls basketball league launched in Juba

Luol Deng Foundation (LDF) has launched the country’s first-ever girls basketball league.

Arek Ajuo Deng, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Luol Deng Foundation, said the initiative is aimed at raising basketball skills needed for a competitive women’s league.

He stressed that basketball can change the cost of all the things that young people could achieve today, adding it is one of the sports that open so many doors to young people.

“Basketball has changed so much in our families. When we left and went to Egypt then to the UK, basketball was our refuge and it really helped us,” she revealed.

Ms Deng added that most importantly, ‘‘it teaches one discipline, hard work and teaches someone how to work with people whether you agree with them or not,  and also teaches one to follow instructions’’.

“Therefore, basketball will open so many avenues of learning from the young ones and to the trainers or coaches.

“As a foundation, we believe the tournament will impact positively, improve and change lives of the young girls in the country,” Ms Deng stressed.

The league was launched by LDF and Deng Academy through support from Stanbic Bank South Sudan under the title, “Her Time or Her League”.

She encouraged the young girls to put more effort into the league to improve their talents and skills.

However, she reminded the ladies not to neglect their domestic chores adding that helping the families was also one way of achieving success in one’s life.

“Playing basketball does not mean you need to break all the rules, neither [does] playing basketball means you have a new responsibility. If you want to be here and represent here, you need to represent us when you go home [too],” she emphasised.

“So once one is in basketball or other sports, you move the same direction where your team moves, meaning when they move positively,” she added.

The CEO challenged the girls not to underestimate the importance of the sport.

“It is basketball that made some of us to be who we are today. Let me tell you that it is basketball that has changed my life and the family I am in,” the CEO revealed.

Embracing the change

The Director of the foundation Michael Acuil Mading praised Deng Academy is organising the girl’s “Her time!”  only basketball tournament in Juba.

He said despite the interests shown by most girls in playing basketball in the country, no one took time to encourage the growth of their participation.

“The launch of this first-ever girls’ basketball league in the country is special for the young girls,” he remarked.

The games are played three times a week and will be played every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. All games will be played at Manute Bol Basketball Court within the University of Juba-Main Campus. About eight teams registered in the competition and the league is expected to run from this week, October 18, 2021, to December 10, 2021.