The South Sudanese military basketball and athletics team returned home from Kenya on Monday, after participating in the 12th edition of the East Africa Community (EAC) military tournament.

The team leader, Brig. Martin Mabor Ater, told reporters that South Sudan played two games only because it did not have enough time to prepare for the event.

He said South Sudan's participation was good and influential, but games against Kenya and Uganda in the basketball were difficult. Ater said there was no referee from South Sudan to observe games.

He, however, said the young nation beat Tanzania and Burundi.

South Sudan has been chosen to host the next tournament in 2021.

"We cannot stand and say we don't have the stadiums and equipment for this event because the period is enough,” Ater said.

He added, “We must not be afraid of the lack of stadiums, but we have to press and equip our existing stadiums, establish other new stadiums and participate in this military championship for the games so we have to improve the level and equip the rest of the teams”.

Meanwhile, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) team emerged overall winners of the military games and cultural events held in Nairobi from August 11-24, followed by Rwanda while Kenya was third.