South Sudan national basketball team and national football team – Bright Stars squads | File photo

The Council of Ministers has approved more than 3 million US dollars to support the national basketball team, the Bright Stars, ahead of major international competitions, including the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 African Qualifiers next month.

The budget, amounting to 3,087,440 million dollars, was approved yesterday during a cabinet meeting chaired by President Salva Kiir.

The funding comes as the Bright Stars prepare for Window Three of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 African Qualifiers in Douala, Cameroon, from 2 to 5 July 2026.

South Sudan is in Group A with hosts Cameroon, Cape Verde and Libya. The Bright Stars will begin the final qualifying window with a match against Libya on 2 July before taking on the other teams in the group.

The third window is expected to be crucial in deciding which teams progress to the second round of the African qualifiers.

All 16 teams have already played three matches in the opening round. The next 24 games will be held in Dakar, Senegal, Douala, Cameroon and Luanda, Angola.

The government says the approved funding will support the team’s preparations and participation in regional and international competitions.