Luol Deng, President of the South Sudan Basketball Federation during a joint press conference in Juba Dec. 5, 2023 -Credit: Eye Radio/Moses Awan

The Minister of Youth and Sports has mandated the national basketball governing body whose term expired last month to continue running the federation until elections are held in early 2024.

The minister Dr. Joseph Geng clarified Tuesday during a joint press conference by the minister and SSBF President.

The move comes two weeks after he directed the President of the Basketball Federation Luol Deng to hold an election within 60 days after his term expired on 24^th November.

The previous ministerial order followed the alleged suspension of President Luol Deng over a reported failure to respond to a meeting call as his four-year tenure ended.

However, the South Sudan Basketball Federation released a press statement on 24^th November on its official Facebook page in response to the move by the General Assembly.

According to the federation, the Minister of Youth and Sports, Dr. Joseph Geng Akech had resolved to put the elections on hold until further notice.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, the Minister of Youth and Sport has clarified that Legend Luol and his executive team will continue running the federation to prepare the basketballers for the Olympic games in 2024 while the elections are due to be held.

“The Minister of Youth and Sports wishes to clarify that until such elections are held in February 2024, the current leadership of the federation led by Mr Luol Deng and his executive body will continue to stay in office,” Dr Joseph said.

“The ministry encourages the federation to carry on with the basketball activities across the country especially preparing the national team for the Olympic games to be held in 2024, representing the country in other international duties and Matches,” he said.

For his part, Mr Luol Deng, the President of the South Sudan Basketball Federation has welcomed the minister’s decision, adding this will allow him and his team to continue serving the federation moving forward.

“I am very happy today with the ministry decision, this allows me, and my office to be able to work and focus on basketball and move forward,” Luol said.

“There are things that some people are unhappy about, but sometimes you get to see the majority of the country and what the majority of the country wants, and if that decision was made the other way, I would turn my back and look the other way,” he said.

“We are called upon by our people because they see the right results and what we got accomplishing, we got to keep on moving forward,” he added.

“Let’s not now dwell on these small issues that are going on the side. As the minister said everything will continue, and I am so glad for new leadership because all these issues can be brought to the table while we are preparing for the elections.”