South Sudan Basketball Federation President Luol Ajou Deng has made an assurance that he will not rest his laurels till the level of basketball in the country hits professional standard. 

Deng—who is a two-time NBA All-Star and one-time nominee of NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 2012— said he feels miserable when the young country languishes in intermittent conflicts at the expense of promoting development, among them sports for the youth.

However, the former basketball star called on the young people to keep working hard and unite the country as they work hard to reach their potential in talents.

“It is up to us the young people to push the elders and politicians to create facilities for them to enhance the game,” he said.

“My message for the young people in the country is that never give up and keep pushing hard. We know system has failed us for so long and it is us to do something about it in order for us to do come back on truck.

“It is us to make sure that the great players come out of this country but only if we young people realise the importance of coming together and using the talent we have to promote unity through sports,” he pleaded.

He added that the country cannot move forward if the youth are not given chance to practice their talents in free and peaceful environment.

Appeal for unity

Meanwhile, the Minister for Youth and Sports Dr. Albino Bol Dhieu also called on the youth to shun tribalism, hatred, and violence and embark on promoting peaceful co-existence in order to pave a way for unity and development.

The two made the call during the launch of ‘Wheels of Distribution Day’ of Luol Deng Foundation’s Assistive Devices to the persons with disabilities in Juba. The initiative was through Luol Deng’s effort to assist persons with disabilities.

He challenged the youth focus their energies on embracing national diversity and development.

“Imagine now our country is in mess of tribalism and hatred for no reason, why we are killing ourselves?why are we hating ourselves? What is wrong with us? Is it because we are lacking resources? No, is it because we are many and space is narrow? No, only we do not have people that have the heart of love for one another,” Dr. Dhieu posed.

Deng was born in South Sudan and later fled the country with his family as a child to head to the United Kingdom. He became a British citizen in 2006, and has played for the Great Britain national team.

After playing college basketball for the Duke Blue Devils, Deng was selected by the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the 2004 NBA draft with the seventh overall pick.

He was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team as a 19-year-old in 2005. The small forward was an All-Star with the Bulls in 2012 and 2013 before splitting the 2013–14 season with the Cleveland Cavaliers. After just half a season with Cleveland, Deng joined the Miami Heat for 2014–15.

He played two seasons for the Heat before signing with the Lakers in 2016. He spent his last season with the Minnesota Timberwolves. On 17 October 2019, Deng signed a one-day contract to retire with the Chicago Bulls.