Africa-Press – South-Sudan. Juba City Council has vowed to repossess playgrounds currently encroached by some developers.
The mayor of Juba City Council, Michael Lado Allah-Jabu, revealed this during a visit to the Future Stars Football Academy (FSFA) on Saturday.
Speaking to the authorities at the academy and the trainees, Alla-Jabu stressed the importance of sports among children, saying it prevents them from joining harmful groups such as niggers.
He said for teenagers to engage in sports and promote their football talents in the country, authorities must give them sufficient room to learn freely.
“We are glad that this academy has worked out to solve negative issues related to children and adolescents,” he stressed.
He said his administration would work relentlessly to reclaim lost playing grounds in residential areas so that youngsters can fulfil their potential.
The mayor of Juba further stated that his administration will organise a commission to locate unlawfully occupied playgrounds and reclaim them for sporting events.
“So, as part of our government’s commitment to encourage and promote sports in the country, we will start demolishing the structures that were erected on such playgrounds,” said Allah-Jabu.
“I discovered that a large number of children and youths came from the outskirts of Juba, which is critical for our future generations.”
He also stated that he will continue to support projects that foster peaceful coexistence among children around the country.
Bidali Henry, the academy’s managing director, said the facility has an estimated 500 young children aged 5 to 13 years old.
The children come from different areas of Juba, and the academy is training them to realise their ambitions of playing football.
Earlier this year, individuals illegally occupying football playgrounds in Juba were forced to leave by the government or else face prosecution in court.
Dr. Albino Bol Dhieu, Minister of Youth and Sports, said the ministry’s plans for 2022 and 2023 include reclaiming all of the sports facilities.
“We are going to recapture all of the government-stolen sports playgrounds. Whether you are a government official, a general in the army, or a civilian, we will be back.
“Even if you build a concrete house on it, as long as it is a football field, it must be reclaimed, and we are going to implement the presidential order on that,” he vowed.
Dr. Albino issued the warning during the opening of the South Sudan Cup 2021/2022 edition in January.
He said the administration was worried about sports in the country and that all sports, such as football, basketball, and volleyball, have been viewed as important means for promoting peace in the country.
“As a result, all of the sports playgrounds must be returned to the ministry of youth and sports, as well as the respective ministries of youth and sports in the states and three administrative areas,” he added.
Although the minister did not reveal how many football pitches are illegally being occupied, he said most of them were grabbed by top government officials but failed to mention them.
A similar order was issued by the Central Equatoria State Governor, Emmanuel Adil Anthony, on the closing day of the Women’s South Sudan Cup last month in Juba.
However, citizens have yet to see those illegally occupied playgrounds reclaimed, as authorities continue to make bogus promises.
For More News And Analysis About South-Sudan Follow Africa-Press
