Diaspora: Basketball Gives Second Chance to South Sudanese Youth in Utah

(KEARNS) – A youth basketball initiative in Utah, United States, is giving hope and opportunities to young refugees from South Sudan, helping them build confidence, stay active and work towards a brighter future.

The programme, known as Sky’s the Limit, held a training clinic over the weekend in Kearns, a suburb of Salt Lake City, where dozens of refugee children, many from South Sudanese backgrounds, gathered to practise, play and be mentored by coaches with similar life experiences.

Most of the children participating in the programme come from families who fled the long and brutal civil war in South Sudan. Now resettled in the United States, many are navigating a new environment while holding onto deep ties to their South Sudanese identity. Programmes like this aim to ease that transition and give young people a sense of purpose and belonging.

One of the programme’s volunteer coaches, Majok Kuath, shared his personal story to highlight the impact sport can have.

“Like for me personally, basketball changed my life. I didn’t have nothing growing up, and I came to this gym every single day. This is the same gym. And I was blessed to receive an offer, go to school for free, graduate with a bachelor’s degree, so it’s a lot that basketball does,” he said.

The Sky’s the Limit organisers hope to expand the programme and hold training sessions more frequently, but they need additional sponsors to keep it running throughout the year. They are currently seeking community support, including from the South Sudanese diaspora, to help with funding, equipment and venue access.

The programme is closely linked with South Sudan Elite, a youth engagement network that promotes education and empowerment through sport. Supporters and potential sponsors can find them on Instagram, where they regularly share updates and calls for assistance.

This initiative is one of several across the United States aimed at helping South Sudanese youth stay connected to their culture while adjusting to life in a new country.