South Sudan is set to host a major World Boxing Council (WBC) Muay Thai championship fight on Saturday in the capital, Juba.
The international title bout will take place at the Nyakuron Cultural Center, featuring South Sudan’s James Majok Gau against Tanzania’s Emmanuel Shija. Both fighters are decorated champions in the sport.
Majok currently holds two titles—the World Muay Thai Association Championship Belt and the World Muay Thai Organization Championship Belt—while Shija is Tanzania’s national Muay Thai titleholder.
The winner of Saturday’s match will be crowned the WBC Muay Thai Africa Champion.
Founded in 2004, WBC Muay Thai is an international organization that promotes and sanctions Muay Thai competition, ranks fighters, and awards championship belts worldwide.
Speaking to reporters upon his arrival at Juba International Airport on Thursday, Hadj Bettahar, WBC Muay Thai’s Africa chairperson, described the upcoming bout as a milestone for African combat sports.
“The fight between Emmanuel and James is great for Africa,” Bettahar said. “We have many champions across sports—kickboxing, Muay Thai, football, MMA, basketball. We must stand together to put Africa on the map.”
He expressed hope that the event would foster a culture of peaceful coexistence in South Sudan and the region. “We don’t care who wins or loses. At the end, sport is the winner,” he said.
Puro Okello Obob, president of the South Sudan Kickboxing Federation, called on Juba residents to attend in large numbers and support the event.
“Arrival time is 2 p.m. and the fight will start at 2:30 p.m.,” Obob said. “This event will help grow our economy and promote our talents, raising the profile of South Sudan and Africa as a whole.”
Obob added that the event will feature exhibition bouts, including one involving Tanzanian fighter Mussa Sayyid.
Shija, who arrived in Juba earlier this week, said he was honored to represent Tanzania.
“I’m happy to be in South Sudan,” he said. “I will put up a good fight and hope to take the title home. I also urge our governments and companies to support sports and other events like this.”