Wau marathon for peace kicks off today
The high-level delegation headed by the national Minister of Youth and Sports, Dr Albino Bol Dhieu, and Eastern Equatoria State Governor, Louis Lobong Lojore, is in Wau town, Western Bahr Ghazal State, to attend today’s Wau Marathon.
According to the organisers, the Wau Marathon (Great South Sudan Run) is the first-ever regional 10-kilometre event to be held in the Great Bahr el Ghazal region.
The event is organised by Great South Sudan, Run in collaboration with the South Sudan Athletic Federation.
While receiving the delegation at Wau Airport, Governor of Western Bahr el Ghazal State, Sarah Cleto Rial, said everything had been put in place for today’s events as she promised that it would be one of the most exciting events in the state.
“This morning we welcomed the delegation from Juba, headed by the national minister of youth and sports, Dr Albino Bol Dhieu, who is representing the VP for youth and gender cluster, Rebecca Nyandeng, and his accompanying delegation, the Eastern Equatoria State Governor, Louis Lobong Lojore. We are very grateful for their safe arrival, and we also wish them a good stay in Wau and a safe journey back to their respective places,” Governor Cleto said.
She said the delegation is expected to witness the South Sudan Great Run that will take place on January 29, 2022, in Wau town.
Governor Cleto had earlier invited the residents of Wau, and other neighbouring communities from IGAD countries living in Wau to turn up for the event and participate in the run for sustainable peace in South Sudan and Wau in particular.
Dr Albino Bol Dhieu, the national minister of youth and sports, said his delegation is happy to be part of the great South Sudan Run as well as the warm welcome accorded to them by the Wau people.
He said the Wau South Sudan Run was one of the biggest sporting events for peace in the country, organised regionally. He added that Wau being the host state was a clear message that the government is trying to make Wau once more the best place for sports as known before.
The sports minister said sports is the common factor that can bring unity among the people.
“Our government’s choice of Wau as the location and venue for the Great Run sends a message to the people of WBGS and greater Bahr Ghazal that we need Wau to be the Wau that we have seen in recent years.”
“The place of sports, especially when it was producing a lot of athletes, footballers, including basketball players and others,” Dr Bol stressed.
According to Dr Bol, his delegation will be in Wau for more than three days, adding that they are also expected to witness the last game of the peace championship that has been postponed several times due to coordination issues.
“So, my message to the people of Wau is that peace is the best option for all of us, so let us use this sports event to be an avenue for all of us to unite and restore our peace, harmony, and peaceful co-existence.”
About three states and two administrative areas are expected to compete. We are targeting 500 athletes from Western Bahr el Ghazal State, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Lakes, Warrap, Unity State, Abyei and Ruweng Administrative Areas respectively.
According to the official, the aim of the January 29, 10 km Wau Marathon is to bring together all the athletes from different states as well as other sports lovers in the country.
