JUBA – Digitel Mobile Operator, a South Sudan telecom company, and the South Sudan Athletics Federation (SSAF) on Friday signed a 10-year partnership agreement valued at $10,000 to promote athletics in the country.
The deal was signed by Digitel Executive Vice President De Chan Awuol and Marko Akol, the Secretary General of the South Sudan Athletics Federation, during a ceremony in Juba on Friday.
The agreement seeks to enhance athlete development frameworks, broaden national competitions, and improve South Sudan’s visibility in the global athletics arena.
Speaking during signing ceremony in Juba on Friday, De Chan Awuol, Digitel Executive Vice President stated that the agreement aims to promote and advance athletics across all 10 states and the three administrative areas, thereby strengthening the nation’s sporting foundation.
“The intention is not merely to perform miracles or promote athletic events for Juba; the intention is to promote these events for the whole country, encompassing ten states and three administrative areas,” Awuol told journalists during a press conference in Juba.
Awuol emphasised that the goal is for nobody to be left behind if they have the interest and ability to compete.
Awuol stated that the goal of the partnership is to include everyone who has the interest and capability to compete.
“We feel that athletics is an area that we can always be very close to the heart of the people,” Awuol said.
He revealed that Digitel will be paying $10,000 to the federation every year, adding that the budget will be used to train some athletes who may require athletics training outside the country.
“Athletics is a sport that can easily be supported because it does not require much infrastructure. You can run on a football pitch, so we want to encourage young boys and girls out there,” he said.
For his part, Marko Akol, the Secretary General of the South Sudan Athletics Federation (SSAF), stated that South Sudan has great potential in athletics, adding that the partnership will fast-track development in the sport.
“We have potential in athletics; we excel in it because athletics is our game by nature. I believe that if we implement our programmes within the next 10 years, we will have more athletes,” said Akol.
“Our main programme is not solely focused on the marathon or long-distance races; we have other events, starting from track and field events like javelin, and then moving to races. We have to support them,” he said.
Under the new agreement, the company will commit $10,000 annually for 10 years, alongside additional support for marathon organization, athlete training, and infrastructure upgrades at Buluk Stadium.
SSAF announced plans to invite regional athletes to future marathons and expand its kids’ athletics program in towns such as Wau, Torit, and Aweil.
