South Sudan target IOC inclusion after Deng appointed first National Olympic Committee President

South Sudan have targeted Olympic inclusion after electing a first NOC President ©South Sudan Olympic Committee

Lieutenant General Wilson Deng Kuoirot has targeted recognition by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) following his unanimous election as the first President of the South Sudan Olympic Committee in Juba.

Held under the theme of "building peace and unity through sport", representatives from seven Federations and Associations, as well as the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, met at the New Sudan Hotel in Juba for an historic meeting, taking place four years after the world's newest nation split from its northern neighbour, Sudan.

Deng, one of highest ranking members of the African country's armed forces, was elected unanimously after his two opponents, Edward Setimo Yugo and Thuch Malueth Chol, each withdrew before the vote.

Juma Stephen Lugga was elected first vice-president while South Sudan Football Association vice-president Andrea Abdallah Dimbiti was elected to the second vice-president's position.

The electoions by attended by representatives from the Sudan Olympic Committee, representing both the IOC and Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa.

Dr. Tong Chor Malek was elected secretary general, while former Juba City Council Mayor, Mohamed el Haj Baballah, was made treasurer.

Image title — The newly-constituted South Sudan Olympic Committee are now targeting recognition by the International Olympic Committee ©South Sudan Olympic Committee

Deng thanked those entrusting him with the role of heading the founding body after his election and promised to work hard in order to deliver what is expected, the Sudan Nation Mirror reported, before prioritising preparing South Sudan's application file to participate in the activities of the IOC "whenever they are called".

“My agenda is to prepare the South Sudan file to be ready for the membership in International Olympic Committee Assembly expected to be held in Malaysia later this year," he added.

Working with Government officials in order to advance sport, contributing to peace and nation building was also highlighted, as was enhancing female sporting participation.

South Sudan is now striving to become the 206th member of the IOC, which would mean athletes could participate under the national flag at Rio 2016.

Its stumbling block thus far has involved its failure to have five internationally-approved National Federations, a criteria for membership under the Olympic Charter.

But IOC director of NOC relations Pere Miró, the Spaniard leading negotiations, told insidethegames in April that work is underway to fast-track the creation of other such bodies, and that it was possible membership could be be approved this year in time for Rio 2016.

Former IOC President Jacques Rogge meeting South Sudanese refugees on a visit to Ethiopia last month ©Petterik Wiggers/UNHCR

With the IOC having said that South Sudan was not discussed during this month's IOC Executive Board meeting in Lausanne, it appears unlikely this will happen at July's IOC Session in Kuala Lumpur, although it could conceivably still be discussed at the Board meeting which precedes the Session in the Malaysian capital.

Speaking in April during a visit to Kosovo, which itself was only recognised by the IOC last December, the body's President Thomas Bach claimed they are “working hard to support the athletes” in the African nation.

“We’re in close contact with sports organisations and, in fact, during a visit to Africa last year, I met with Presidents of the Sudan Olympic Committee and South Sudan sports bodies,” he added.

“We want to welcome South Sudanese athletes in the Olympic Games next year.

“But at this moment I am not in a position to confirm whether there will be a decision in Kuala Lumpur.”