Arsenal fans in Maridi County converged for the Premier League title celebration on Saturday. \[Photo: Courtesy\]
MARIDI — The Commissioner of Ibba County in South Sudan’s Western Equatoria State, Wilson Tatela, has pledged a monthly contribution of 2000 South Sudanese Pounds to support Arsenal Football Club supporters in Maridi County following a celebration organized by fans to mark the club’s long-awaited Premier League title triumph.
The celebrations, held in Maridi on Saturday, brought together Arsenal supporters who gathered to commemorate what organizers described as the end of a 22-year wait for silverware. The event was also attended by Maridi County Commissioner Daniel Saleh Balash as the guest of honour.
Addressing the gathering, Commissioner Tatela congratulated Arsenal supporters for their loyalty and dedication to the club over the years, before announcing a monthly contribution of SSP 2,000 to support the group’s activities and encouraged members to formalize their association.
He urged the supporters to establish a constitution and register their fan base to enable it to operate effectively and gain formal recognition within Maridi County.
Commissioner Balash also commended the group for organizing the event and praised the unity displayed by the supporters. To further encourage their activities, he pledged SSP 200,000 every month to support the fan base and strengthen cohesion among young people.
He emphasized the role of football in promoting peace and social harmony, saying the sport has the power to unite communities and foster positive engagement among youth.
“Football brings people together and strengthens unity among our young people. This is the kind of spirit we want to promote in Maridi County,” Balash said, assuring the youth of his continued support for their initiatives.
The commissioner also announced that the county’s Inter-Area Tournament would officially kick off on June 7, 2026, and called on young people from Maridi and surrounding areas to actively participate.
“These are the activities that always bring our youths together,” he said, urging residents to attend the tournament and support participating teams.
In his closing remarks, Balash appealed for peace, unity, and mutual respect among residents, describing Maridi as a shared home that must be kept safe and clean for future generations.
He also called on young people who remain in the bush to return home and reintegrate into their communities, saying they should be free to pursue careers in sports, farming, the military, or any other lawful profession of their choice.
The event highlighted the growing influence of football supporters’ groups in fostering community engagement and promoting social cohesion in Western Equatoria State.