By Suzan Peter Mabuong

In the heart of South Sudan, a country scarred by years of war and hardship, something beautiful is rising. It’s not a new building or a political promise. It’s the laughter of young people kicking a ball on a dusty ground, the thunder of drumming in a neighborhood corner, or the flash of color in a painted wall by a teenage girl with hope in her heart. Sports and the arts are becoming powerful tools for youth empowerment, weaving new stories of strength, unity, and purpose.

Across the country, in cities and villages, sports and arts are giving young people something they desperately need: a reason to dream, a space to grow, and a voice to be heard. These platforms offer more than entertainment; they are shaping identity, building confidence, and restoring hope.

Perhaps nothing captures this better than South Sudan’s men’s national basketball team, the Bright Stars. Under the leadership of the South Sudan Basketball Federation and former NBA All-Star Luol Deng, the Bright Stars have transformed from a humble team to global champions. Their historic qualification for the FIBA World Cup and now the Olympics has stirred a new sense of national pride that no politician or peace agreement has been able to achieve.

For the first time in a long time, South Sudanese youth, whether in Juba, Kakuma, Kampala, or Canada, are cheering for the same dream. The basketball team has become a symbol of what is possible. They have shown that with discipline, unity, and opportunity, South Sudan can shine on the world stage. From refugee camps to urban centers, young boys drop basketballs with their heads held high, whispering to themselves, “One day, that could be me.”

Chiwer Mangok Mangok Mayen, a young South Sudanese athlete currently playing for an American basketball team, shared his thoughts:

“Sports and the arts offer great platforms for young people in South Sudan to express themselves, build confidence, and develop a sense of purpose,” he said. “Through basketball, I’ve seen how teamwork, discipline, and mentorship can reshape a youth’s mindset and open doors to education and leadership opportunities. The arts provide a voice to share stories, preserve our culture, and imagine new futures beyond conflict and hardships.”

But Chiwer also points out a painful truth, access remains a major challenge. “Limited athletic facilities, funding, and safe spaces make it hard for many to participate,” he explained. “To change this, we need more investment in community-based initiatives, stronger partnerships between local leaders and global organizations, and more platforms that showcase youth talent.”

Jeremiah Richu echoed this opinion:

“Sports and arts foster community spirit and offer alternatives to negative influences,” he said. “They help build essential life skills, but many youths are held back by lack of resources. We must invest in mentorship and community programs to bridge these gaps.”

Back in Juba, sports have become part of everyday life. Emmanuel Lado painted a vivid picture:
“Rickshaw drivers and boda-boda riders display team flags proudly during football season,” he said. “Fan groups like the Shirikat Arsenal supporters even hold public rallies for fun. Football has become a lifestyle, not just in Juba but even in remote areas.”

Lado emphasized that many youths now participate in sports, revealing hidden talents on rugged areas across the capital. “It’s not just a game,” he said. “Football unites youth from different communities and helps break down tribal barriers. Even activities like Jebel Kujur hikes show how sports can bring us together.”

This unity, once thought impossible, is being realized through passion, not politics. And while the ball may be round, the impact is deep and wide.

Oduor, another youth leader, described sports and arts as “among the few things that genuinely unite South Sudanese youth across tribal lines.” He spoke of the deep love for the English Premier League, and how young fans in South Sudan gather in streets and video halls wearing team jerseys and celebrating goals with strangers from other tribes.

“These platforms go beyond entertainment,” he said. “They are tools for self-expression through music, poetry, dance, and sport, fostering resilience and hope even in tough times. Success stories like Majok Maker, a South Sudanese athlete playing abroad, show how talent can unlock global opportunities.”

But Oduor also raised concerns: “Most initiatives rely on random support. In some areas, youth gatherings are even discouraged or met with arrests. We need government action. Arts and sports must be part of our education system. Public and private partnerships must grow to ensure sustainability.”

Economically, sports and arts offer jobs from coaches and trainers to musicians and visual artists. Spiritually, they restore dignity. They allow a young person who grew up with nothing but pain to suddenly find joy, purpose, and even fame. Socially, they heal old wounds. Politically, they show that unity is possible, not just in theory, but in practice.

When the Bright Stars walk onto an international court, they are not just playing a game. They are playing for every displaced child, every broken home, and every dream that once seemed lost. Their success is proof that South Sudanese youth are not victims, they are victors in the making.

And behind them, marching quietly but powerfully, are thousands of artists, dancers, poets, and singers who are also building the nation with every beat, brushstroke, and rhyme.

South Sudan’s future won’t only be written in government offices or peace agreements. It will be painted in murals, sung in songs, danced in dusty streets, and celebrated with every basket, goal, and poem.

Let us give our youth the tools to build, not just survive. Let us invest in what truly unites us, our dreams, our talents, and our children.

Because in a country that has suffered so much, nothing is more powerful than the hope of a young person who still believes.

Short biography:

Suzan Peter Mabuong is a weekly columnist with ‘The City Review’ on social impact. She is a Ph.D. candidate in Organizational Leadership at Grand Canyon University. Having lived in Canada and the United States for more than two decades before returning to South Sudan, Suzan brings a unique perspective that goes beyond the surface to explore the real stories shaping the nation. Suzan stands firm on the promises of God’s protection: “The Lord will keep you from all harm, He will watch over your life” (Psalm 121:7). Contact Suzan at: beyondtheheadlines.ssd@gmail.com