South Sudan’s Luminous Starlets Claim Historic Bronze in afrobasket Qualifiers
Table of Contents
- 1. South Sudan’s Luminous Starlets Claim Historic Bronze in afrobasket Qualifiers
- 2. From Underdog to Contender: A Journey of Growth
- 3. Embracing the Physicality, Forging a Unique Identity
- 4. Building Momentum for 2025
- 5. Given South Sudan’s historic bronze medal win, what strategies will the Shining Starlets implement to maintain this momentum and build on their success in future tournaments?
- 6. South Sudan’s Basketball Bright Stars: an Exclusive Interview with captain Adut Bulgak
- 7. A Historic Bronze: reflecting on the Journey
- 8. Building a team: From Underdog to Contender
- 9. Embracing the Physicality: Adapting to the African Style
- 10. Looking Ahead: Building Momentum for the Future
The Bright Starlets of South Sudan have etched their names in the history books, securing a historic bronze medal in the 2025 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket Zone 5 qualifiers held in Cairo, Egypt. Competing against formidable opponents like Kenya, Uganda, and Egypt, the South Sudanese team displayed remarkable resilience and determination, culminating in a remarkable 3-2 record.
From Underdog to Contender: A Journey of Growth
Despite acknowledging that the team was missing some key players due to prior commitments, Adut Bulgak, the team captain, emphasized the team’s commitment to progress. “The 2021 team was built in adversity. We have manny talented young players at the university who have not yet been able to join the team. However, we have gathered the pieces of the puzzle and made it so that the new recruits discover the African basketball style, because most of them have spent a lot of time in North America,” Bulgak stated during the tournament.
This statement reflects the team’s journey – a continual evolution from relative newcomers on the Afrobasket scene to a force to be reckoned with. Their debut in 2021 saw them navigate the tournament without a single victory.However, the 2023 edition in Kampala, Uganda, marked a turning point, with their first victory against Rwanda (54-40).
Embracing the Physicality, Forging a Unique Identity
Nyamuch Pidor Teny, the Bright Starlets’ second-leading scorer in Cairo, acknowledged the physicality of African basketball and the valuable lessons learned from their initial experiences. “It was not easy to get used to playing here. Our beginnings were a great lesson in humility,” Teny shared. “I have a lot of respect for women who play basketball in Africa. There is a lot of physics, notch and heart.These teams do not retreat and we had to learn this from them. I appreciate the ardor with wich they play.”
Bulgak echoed Teny’s sentiments, emphasizing the team’s adaptation to the demanding playing style. “The competitions are still as physical and aggressive and we adapt well. The players arrive now knowing what to expect in terms of rhythm and pace of play and, even if there are still adjustments to make, we can now compete with the best in the region,” Bulgak stated.
Competing against strong teams like Kenya, Uganda, and Egypt has undoubtedly played a crucial role in shaping the Bright Starlets’ identity. facing experienced opponents with established chemistry has pushed the South Sudanese team to develop their own unique style and cohesion.
Building Momentum for 2025
The journey to Cairo was marked by significant victories. The Bright Starlets started their campaign with a historic win against the Lionesses of Kenya (86-69) before facing challenges against Uganda (83-69) and Egypt (85-64). Though, they bounced back with a decisive victory over Burundi, who returned to the tournament after a 12-year absence, winning 77-46. In the bronze medal match, they once again demonstrated their dominance over Kenya, securing a 17-point victory (80-63).
Reflecting on their achievements, Bulgak emphasized the team’s upward trajectory. “these victories are springboards. Adding three victories to that against Rwanda has put us in confidence and we take advantage of them. We have proven that we could compete in one of the most challenging areas in Africa and we will continue to climb the ladder.” She further encouraged potential future members of the team, stating that opportunities exist for those who are prepared.
The bright Starlets, inspired by the success of their male counterparts, the Bright Stars, both on the continent and the global stage, are confident that their best days are yet to come. As they continue to build their chemistry and refine their skills, the future looks bright for South Sudan’s women’s basketball.
Given South Sudan’s historic bronze medal win, what strategies will the Shining Starlets implement to maintain this momentum and build on their success in future tournaments?
South Sudan’s Basketball Bright Stars: an Exclusive Interview with captain Adut Bulgak
South Sudan’s women’s basketball team, the Bright Starlets, have made history by claiming a historic bronze medal at the 2025 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket Zone 5 qualifiers in Cairo, Egypt. Captain Adut Bulgak took to the time to share her insights on the team’s journey,the challenges they faced,and their aspirations for the future.
A Historic Bronze: reflecting on the Journey
Archyde: Congratulations on the remarkable bronze medal win! This is a historic achievement for South Sudan. How does it feel to be part of this moment?
Adut Bulgak: It’s an amazing feeling! We dedicated ourselves to this goal, and seeing the hard work pay off on the court is truly satisfying. We’re proud to represent our country and bring pride to South sudan.
Building a team: From Underdog to Contender
Archyde: You mentioned earlier that the 2021 team faced challenges due to roster limitations.How has the team evolved since then?
Bulgak: We’ve definitely come a long way. The 2021 team was forged in adversity. We have many talented young players in universities who haven’t yet joined the national team. We’ve focused on bringing them into the fold and adapting them to the African basketball style. A lot of them have spent time in North America, so helping them understand the physicality and rhythm of African basketball has been key.
Embracing the Physicality: Adapting to the African Style
Archyde: What were some of the key differences you observed between playing in North America and on the African basketball scene?
Bulgak: The physicality is definitely something you quickly learn about when you play in Africa. The pace is faster, the competition is fierce, and there’s a real intensity to the game. We’ve adapted well, and our younger players are thriving in this surroundings.
Looking Ahead: Building Momentum for the Future
Archyde: What are your aspirations for the Bright Starlets in the future? When do you believe South Sudan will be a force to be reckoned with on the world stage?
Bulgak: we’re persistent to continue climbing the ladder. These victories in Cairo are springboards. Adding three wins to that against Rwanda has put us in a confident place.
We’ve proven that we can compete with the best in the region. In terms of a world stage presence, that will take time, dedication, and continued investment in our growth programs. But the future looks bright for South Sudan’s women’s basketball, and I believe we will be here to stay.
