The Manut Bol Basketball Court got busy as three basketball playoff semifinals kicked off on Wednesday at the University of Juba.

Among them are the Manut Bol Development League (MBDL), Luol Deng Development League (LDDL) and HER Time- the girls’ first-ever basketball tournament.

The Manut Bol Development League and Luol Deng Development League were both launched on July 16, 2021, while HER Time, the girls’ first-ever basketball league, was launched on October 16, 2021.

“Deng Academy Development Leagues, which started on July 16, 2021, is reaching its end with a playoff tournament, in which 10 teams participated, including 8 teams from all three leagues such as (LDDL, MBDL, and HER Development Leagues),” Tony Opira Salvatore, a coach at Deng Academy, told The City Review on Wednesday.

Criteria

According to Salvatore, eight teams qualified for the playoffs in each league, and out of those eight teams, only four remained and qualified for the semifinals and finals.

Two teams from each league will compete in the final championship games.

“Championship games will start next Monday, December 6.”

Salvatore said the tournaments are aimed at building and examining the potential of young kids’ basketball careers as well as promoting peace and unity among the young from different geographical locations.

The development league aims to build and examine these young potential kids in their basketball careers, to teach them discipline on and off the basketball court, as well as to promote peace and unity among kids from different geographical locations in South Sudan.

He said it is also meant to recognise young people’s academic and athletic performance and to inspire them to find their life’s passion.

Play-off fixture

The playoff semi-finals started on Wednesday, January 12, 2021, where two games will be played at the same time on different Manut Bol Basketball courts.

Game 1 of the MBDL playoff semifinals.

At 3:40 pm, Kapoeta takes on Yei at Court East, while at the same time, Renk will play Wounruk at the west court, Manut Bol Basketball court.

Friday, 3/12/2021

Game 1 of the HER TIME League Play-Off Semifinals.

All games are played on the east and west sides of the court.

LDDL play-off semifinal game 2 on Saturday, April 12, 2021.

At 7:00 a.m., Yirol vs. Terkaka and War-awar vs. Maban.

MBDL playoff semifinal game 2.

8:00 am Yei vs. Kapoeta. Wonruk vs. Renk.

HER League semifinal game 2 on Monday, June 12, 2021.

Bisellia vs. Kajo-keji and Maguei vs. Anet at 3:40 p.m.

Tuesday, 7/12/2021, game 3 of the LDDL semifinals.

All games will be played at Manut Bol Court at the same time (3:40 p.m.).

Wednesday, August 12, 2021, game 3 of the MBDL semifinals.

Kapoeta vs. Yei and Terkaka vs. Yirol, all at 3:40.

Thursday, 9/12/2021, HER League semifinal playoff game 3.

Anet vs Maguei and Kajo-Keji vs Bisellia, the same time and court.