The Japanese government will donate funds for athletics equipment and for the maintenance of Buluk Athletics Field in the South Sudanese capital Juba.
Ambassador of Japan in Juba Kiya Masahiko signed a memorandum with the Secretary General of South Sudan Athletics Federation (SSAF) Jim Long John Rumbek on Tuesday at the the Embassy of Japan for a “Project for Maintenance of Juba Buluk Athletics Field.”
Japan is expected to pay an amount of US $90,457 for the project.
“I would like to congratulate you, the Athletic Federation, and all the athletes in South Sudan, for the extraordinary performance that you made for the National Unity Day sporting event. I was very much moved, impressed, by all the young people gathering from all over the country,” said Ambassador Kiya. “And I think it’s not only good for health but it’s good for peace and unity.”
He was referring to a recent national athletics competition involving football, running, cultural and other events which was supported by the Japanese government.
Through this project, SSAF will procure athletics equipment, including starting blocks, hurdles, discus, shot put, javelins, and relay batons. The Japanese will also supports building a fence surrounding the athletics field and storage for the athletic equipment.
“Today’s contribution of the athletic equipment combined with a fence for the Buluk Stadium and also the storage – all combined – that is for the athletes who are going to be trained toward the upcoming Olympics in 2020 in Tokyo,” added the Japanese ambassador.
Jim Long commended the Japanese government for “trying to create a kind of diplomacy in sports,” thanking the Japanese ambassador for “boosting us for the 2020 Olympics in Japan.”
Ambassador Kiya Masahiko stressed that Japan will continue its support for South Sudan because sports will support the way toward peace and stability.