The picture of Emma Innocent that went viral on social media as he cried for the loss of the national against Puerto Rico. - Courtesy

A 10-year-old boy who was caught on camera crying after South Sudan lost to Puerto Rico in their first-ever FIBA Basketball World Cup game in Manila has been offered a scholarship by the Minister of Youth and Sports.

On 28 August, the picture of Emma Innocent, 10, went viral on social media as he cried for the loss of the national against Puerto Rico.

Emma is one of the children who committed to watching live streaming of the World Cup on a public screen at the Nimira Talata Basketball playground.

During the welcoming event for the national basketball team, the Bright Stars’ Captain Kuany Kuany called up the child on the stage for appreciation.

However, Dr. Albino, the national Minister of Youth and Sports pledged to sponsor the patriotic child, Emma Innocent.

Albino said he would sponsor his education up to the university level.

“The child who was brought here by Kuany Kuany, on my capacity as an individual in this country, as the minister of Sport. I will sponsor him up to university, simply not because I have the money, no, I’m the poorest minister,” said Albino.

“This child reminded me a lot of things, imagine if all of us were like this child, there would be no tribalism, imagine if all of us loved our country like him we would not kill each other,” he said.

“For this reason, this child represents the original South Sudanese person who managed to struggle from 1955 up to where we are today.”

Minister Bol explained why he decided to sponsor Innocent instead of supporting him financially.

“The best thing I can do, I will not give him money, but he must go to school, so he will be like Luol Deng, Kual Manyang and any other person, I’m very proud of you boy,” Albino said.

“Please put up for him, this boy from today is part of the Ministry of Youth and Sports and part of my family.”