South Sudan’s Historic Olympic Debut Marred by Technical Issue, But Team Triumphs Over Puerto Rico

In a remarkable display of resilience and sportsmanship, South Sudan’s men’s basketball team made history by securing the country’s first Olympic victory, defeating Puerto Rico 90-79 on Sunday. However, the team’s debut was initially marred by a technical issue, as the incorrect national anthem was played before the game.

The mistake was rectified after a three-minute delay, and the correct anthem was played to applause from the audience. Despite the setback, the South Sudanese players showed remarkable composure, standing in solidarity with hands over their hearts as they awaited the resolution of the situation. Puerto Rican athletes also showed unity in response to the error.

South Sudan coach Royal Ivey, an American, acknowledged the mistake, saying, “It’s their national pride. South Sudan. ‘Sud’ means ‘the land of the Black.’ These players were eager to compete and hear their anthem.” He added, “They made a mistake with the anthem, but they corrected it. We all make errors. I will definitely mention that in my feedback. But ultimately, these players are like brothers.”

Forward Nuni Omot, who scored 12 points in the game, reflected on the experience, stating, “It motivated us even more. We felt disrespected by what happened. We still need to earn respect. So, we have to keep proving to the world what we can do. It was a reminder that some people still don’t respect us.”

The South Sudan team’s victory is a significant milestone for the country, which gained independence in 2011 after a period of civil war. The team’s performance was also notable, as they nearly defeated Team USA in a pre-Olympics exhibition, losing 101-100 due to a last-minute layup by LeBron James.

Additional sources: Other agencies