The South Sudan Basketball Federation (SSBF) on Tuesday received a check of SSP 75 million from Africa’s largest mobile telephone operator, Mobile Telephone Network (MTN), as sponsorship.

The sum is part of a USD 400,000 support for the next three years.

Addressing the media during the ceremony to hand over the check, Gordian Kyomukama, the MTN South Sudan Chief Executive Officer, said they committed last September to support the SSBF over the next three years.  

“You may wonder again why MTN is so much into sports. We are a telecommunication company but we have a conviction that there is huge potential within the population of South Sudan and we are also very much aware of the opportunities that sports can open up for our youthful population. This is why we believe so much in and have committed ourselves so much to sports in South Sudan,” he said. “We are very convinced about the potential that our citizens and our population have and they have exhibited in several sports and not only basketball. We are also in the lead when it comes to sponsoring football.”

“In basketball, from a talent and physique perspective, there is no country better placed than South Sudan,” he said.

On his part, Orom Mackmot, Vice President of the SSBF, said the development of basketball in the country has come a long way with myriad challenges and losses.

“It started with a couple of losses and it was painful and sad but with sports, you have to be faithful. MTN has been doing a great job not only for basketball but also football,” he said.  “As a country, we have gone through a lot of conflicts but people now talk about South Sudan as an upcoming powerhouse in sports in Africa and this is something for which we are grateful.”

Mackmot said the federation was grateful for the support from MTN.

“For MTN to partner and walk with us on this journey is good because it was not easy when we started this journey. For us to seat hear and talk about the World Cup qualifications and what the federation is doing is exciting and we are just getting started,” he said. “MTN has not only supported basketball but also football. We are grateful and would like to encourage other companies to come in and support us.”