The Western Equatoria State government has donated SSP 10 million to the Yambio Inter-Area Football Tournament Organizing Committee to support awards for the 2026 tournament winners.
The donation was made by Governor Badagbu Daniel Rimbasa on Sunday, 26 July 2026, and handed over to the committee led by Chairperson Sabir Isaac Gbuku ahead of the final match.
The final between Naduru and Baiporu has been rescheduled to Tuesday, 28 July 2026, at Gbudue National Stadium after bad weather affected the planned match on Sunday.
Governor Rimbasa told the press that the support is to help the organizing committee provide awards for participating teams and promote youth development through sports. The governor has been a supporter of the Yambio Inter-Area Football Tournament and contributed SSP 32 million to support the competition in 2025.
James Adu, Western Equatoria State Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, said the governor’s support is mainly aimed at promoting peace, unity, and the successful completion of the tournament. He said the support came after the organizing committee faced challenges in meeting some remaining tournament expenses ahead of the final.
He said a meeting was held involving the organizing committee, Yambio Local Football Association, security team, and partners to address the challenges.
According to the minister, the funds will help provide awards for the finalist teams, while other expenses, including referees and match officials, are already covered in the tournament budget. He said the gate collections will be managed transparently and used for tournament-related activities.
“The main issue is not the money,” he said. “We intend to make sure peace is seen among ourselves. Money only facilitates the program.”
Meanwhile, Sabir Isaac Gbuku, Chairperson of the Yambio Inter-Area Tournament Organizing Committee, said the final match between Naduru and Baiporu has been moved to Tuesday due to bad weather and called on football fans, government officials, and residents of Yambio to attend the final match at Gbudue National Stadium.
He explained that the SSP 10 million support from Governor Badagbu Daniel Rimbasa was an emergency contribution to help provide prizes for the tournament winners.
He said the money will help provide awards for the champion and second-place team, while the committee will continue handling other requirements, including medals and individual awards.
Sabir said the tournament remains one of the biggest sporting events in Yambio and continues through support from leaders, individuals, and well-wishers. He thanked Governor Badagbu Daniel Rimbasa for supporting the tournament and promoting unity, peace, and cooperation among communities in Yambio County.
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