South Sudan to celebrate Olympic Day on Wednesday
By John Agok
The National Olympic Committee in collaboration with International Olympic Committee (IOC) is set to celebrate International Olympic Day in Juba on June 23, in Juba.
The event expected to start at 3pm on Wednesday will be graced by Vice President for Gender, Youth and Sports cluster as she also announces 30 days count-down to the Tokyo’s 2020 Olympics and Paralympics tournament.
“On Wednesday, the public shall witness colorful features of our young people representing ten federations (Olympic and Paralympics) at 3:00 pm at Nimra Talata Basketball Stadium,” said Rebecca Joshua Okwaci, the Organizing Committee’s Chairperson.
She was speaking to the journalists on Monday during a press conference in Juba.
The annual sports event featuring competitions will be commemorated under this year’s theme “History and Significance: Stay Healthy, Stay Active”.
It focuses on reflections on the history of the Olympic Movement that was founded in 1894.
Ms. Okwachi confirmed that, Vice President in charge of the country’s gender and youth Mama Nyadeng De Mabior will grace the event alongside the Japanese Ambassador to South Sudan Mr. Naohiro Tsutsumi.
The occasion will be limited to 200 participants only due to COVID-19 preventative measures, according to the Organizing Commitee.
“This is the second year we are commemorating the Olympic Day under COVID-19 Pandemic”, she added.
Dr. Tong Chor Malek, the Secretary General assured the public of the country’s readiness for Tokyo 2020 Olympic despite pending approval about three South Sudanese athletes to participate in the competition.
“We are still waiting approval of our two to three athletes that will participate in the tournament. One male, one female and the flag carrier”, he said.
Dr. Malek also revealed that the country’s Finance Ministry was yet to approve the budget to pay hotels accommodation in Tokyo and clear air tickets for VIP delegations.
“Although our Ministry of Finance is yet to approve the budget, still we have universal qualification that, will take government delegation led by Vice President to Tokyo, Japan”, he added.
South Sudan is expected to participate in the forthcoming Tokyo 2021 Olympics and Paralympics tournament comes July.
The first World event under the modern International Olympic Committee (IOC) was in 1948 that aimed at promoting participation in sports across the World.
