Another first for South Sudan as they qualify for Paris Olympics

A journey that started in Nairobi when the now South Sudan basketball federation boss Luol Deng assembled a team for the Afrobasket pre-qualifiers hosted at Nyayo Stadium, their first ever international competition, has culminated in the Bright Star playing on the biggest stage in FIBA competitions, the World Cup.

In a short three years, Luol’s side that was included in the Afrobasket on a wild card in 2021 and went on to enter the World Cup qualifiers for the first time ever, has not only played in the World Cup but has finished as the best-placed African team.

With that, South Sudan is set to participate in the 2024 Paris Olympics in their first time of asking as finishing as the top-ranking African squad at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 guaranteed them a direct ticket to the Summer Games.

Going into the final match at the ongoing global games, both South Sudan and Egypt had the opportunity to qualify. The Bright Stars booked their Olympic berths after beating Angola 101-78 and Egypt lost to New Zealand 88-86, in the Classification Round games. 

"It’s unbelievable. It's a dream come true. We became an independent country in 2011. No one ever imagined or dreamed of being in this position," Nuni Omot said after the feat.

“And now we're going to have the chance to walk across the Olympic stage with our flag. It's unbelievable everything that's happened. I'm so emotional right now. It's one of the best stories, sports stories that's come out in a long time. So, I'm just very blessed to be a part of this."

The country has lurched from one crisis to another since gaining independence in 2011 but the team's World Cup performances have captured the public's imagination, with crowds gathering to watch on giant screens in the capital Juba.

An emotional head coach Royal Ivey said they had brought "unity, camaraderie, love and friendship" to the country.

"This team is a beam of light," he said.

South Sudan captain Kuany Ngor Kuany said he was proud to "create history" by representing his country.

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"We've had a lot of athletes representing different countries under different flags," said Kuany, who was born in South Sudan but moved to Australia as a nine-year-old.

"For us to be able to do it for the first time as a country really means a lot and that's why we were fighting so hard to be able to get that opportunity."

South Sudan became the third confirmed team alongside Paris 2024 hosts France and Australia. Japan have also qualified.