Central Equatoria Lifts Suspension on Community Sports Tournaments

By Kidega Livingstone

The Central Equatoria State Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport has lifted the temporary suspension of community sports tournaments in Juba, allowing competitions to resume under strengthened security and management requirements.

State Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Bush Buse issued Ministerial Order No. 07/2026 last week, temporarily suspending all community sports tournaments in Juba following an incident at Munuki Playground in which several football fans were injured after tensions erupted following a match involving a team from Bahr el Ghazal.

Speaking to journalists after lifting the suspension, Buse said tournaments could resume provided organizers comply with conditions aimed at preventing violence and protecting players, officials and spectators.

He said all community sports tournaments must receive prior approval from the Central Equatoria State Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport. Organizers are also required to provide adequate security for players, referees, technical teams and spectators.

Buse urged tournament organizers, participating teams and supporters to maintain discipline and respect decisions made by referees and tournament officials.

Community football tournaments are popular across Juba, providing young people with opportunities to participate in sports, improve physical fitness and promote unity among communities. However, concerns have been raised over violence, poor crowd control and tensions during competitive matches.

The lifting of the suspension is expected to allow tournaments to resume while placing greater responsibility on organizers to ensure competitions are peaceful and properly managed.

Buse warned that organizers who fail to comply with the ministry’s conditions could face further action, including the suspension of their tournaments.