By Lodu William Odiya
Central Equatoria State Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sports, Bush Buse, has temporarily banned community tournaments in Juba City following a weekend incident in Barh El Ghazal Counties’ League in a game between Cueibet and Twic Counties.
During the tournament, angry youth from Cueibet attacked Twic players, injuring two players and one fan at Munuki playground.
In a statement seen by No. 1 Citizen Newspaper, the minister stressed the need to establish legal frameworks that could regulate community sporting activities to promote peace and unity.
‘’There is an urgent need to align grassroots sports initiatives such as community and youth-led tournaments with established state regulatory frameworks to promote peaceful coexistence and uphold legal standards,” the statement partly read.
Buse underscored the need for effective coordination and regulation of community sports by the youth and state government to ensure adherence to sporting laws.
“It’s imperative to enhance coordination, registration, and regulation of community sports through the youth and the Sports Registration Commission in Central Equatoria State, ensuring compliance with the applicable sports laws,” the statement further continued.
The ban excluded tournaments organised under the Juba Football Association, the South Sudan Football Federation, legally recognised sports bodies, school tournaments, sports academies, and registered clubs.
“Therefore, suspended community tournaments await investigation and administrative review to decide the final status of the temporary ban,” the statement stated.
It also underscored that associations and clubs are prohibited from approving playgrounds for community tournaments in Juba City. Sports community associations and their teams are required to register with the Central Equatoria Youth and Sports Registration Commission to be authorised to organise community tournaments in accordance with state sports laws.
The security agencies, including the National Security Directorate, State Police, and the Central Security Division, are urged to ensure compliance with this order and safeguard public safety.
Those violating the order are warned or face administrative sanctions, including suspension and revocation of facility access, in accordance with the law governing sports and land use.