Dr. Joseph Geng Akech, the newly sworn-in Youth and Sports Minister - Courtesy

The Minister of Youth and Sports Dr. Joseph Geng has decried the absence of laws governing the sport federations and youth in country.

Geng made this remark on Monday during his meeting with National Sport Federations at the ministry premises.

The meeting focused mainly on the need for sports legal framework, governance and financing.

According to Geng, South Sudan has been using a 2003 Sudan law which are not applicable to the country.

“This serious business, like sports cannot go without legislation, so the first things we noted here is that we don’t have the law on sports, we don’t have law on youth, there are no laws.

“The law which is there, was a law of the Sudan 2003 which the ministry of justice and constitutional affairs is giving us legal opinion on, but it does not apply,” said Geng.

Geng urged the sport federations to contribute views to a sports law draft that are due to be made available.

The Vice President of South Sudan football Association Charles Oduar applauded the Minister for bringing all the stakeholders together in the policy making process.

Oduar however expressed the readiness of the association members in contributing to the draft.

“This is very important [meeting] , and is part of policy making process so that our views as sports men and women is also included in the upcoming framework.

‘We will be looking forward to receiving a draft copy from the legal adviser so that we also give our opinion in term of governance and coordination between the ministry and others federation,” said Charles.

Recently, Minister Geng released his strategic plans to develop the sport sector and initiate youth programs that aim to forge peace and unity of the young generation.

His plans to work handy with development partners in areas of vocational training to empower and up skill the youth.