South Sudan basketball team. (Photo: SSBA).

The national Cabinet on Friday approved 6.5 million US dollars to facilitate the participation of the national basketball team in the World Cup in Asia later this year.

The Minister of Finance and Planning was then directed to release the money after the request was made by the Cabinet by the Minister of Youth and Sport.

Speaking to the media after the cabinet meeting on June 16, Information Minister Michael Makuei said he wants the team to bring the World Cup trophy home.

“The Minister requested some of 6.5 million USD for the national basketball team to go and participate and bring us the world cup which was brought here last time and you have seen it,” he said.

“It’s not enough that we have seen it, but we want them to bring it back home. The presentation was appreciated and approved, and the minister of finance was directed to pay accordingly.”

South Sudan men’s basketball team made history early this year when they qualified for the FIBA World Cup to be played in Japan, The Philippines, and Indonesia.

Bright Stars have been drawn in Group B with Serbia, China, and Puerto Rico.

The Group B nations will play their preliminary matches in the Philippines in August 2023.