Activist Edmund Yakani has appealed to President Salva Kiir to provide 75,000 US dollars to help the national blind football team participate in the African Division One Championship in Cairo, Egypt.

The national team, known as the Bright Stars, are the reigning African Division Two champions after winning the tournament in Uganda in October last year.

The team has qualified for the Division One Championship but is facing financial difficulties ahead of the November 1 participation deadline.

Yakani, the head of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), appealed to President Kiir and other senior government officials to urgently provide the required funds.

He said the lack of financial support could prevent the team from taking part in the continental competition.

“Our national blind football team, Bright Star, are the champions of African Division Two. They are now ready to go and play in Cairo, but they are lacking financial support of 75,000 US dollars. Your Excellency President, 75,000 US dollars is defeating our team from meeting the deadline of the first of November,” he said.

Yakani expressed concern over what he described as unequal treatment of the blind football team, saying other national sports teams have received government support to participate in international competitions.

He also questioned the government’s commitment to disability inclusion, recalling President Kiir’s signing of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which made South Sudan a party to the agreement.

“What is the importance of your signature on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities if our country cannot offer 75,000 US dollars to support our blind football team? Because they are blind, they are being undermined, belittled and not considered. Should persons with disabilities be discriminated against in sports?” he stated.

Yakani called on the government, private sector and well-wishers to mobilise the funds before the November 1 deadline.

He said taking part in the Cairo championship could create opportunities for the team to compete in other international tournaments, including competitions in Brazil, Tajikistan and Los Angeles.