(Juba) – South Sudan is being urged to overhaul the way its football trophies are designed, with a prominent local football official calling for an end to the use of generic, store bought awards in favour of unique, customized trophies that reflect the nation’s heritage and football identity.
In a public letter dated 24th June 2025, Isaac Mamur Scopas, Secretary of the Yei Football Association, made a direct appeal to the leadership of the South Sudan Football Federation (SSFF), under President Gen. Augustino Maduot Parek.
Mamur expressed concern that the current trophies used in national leagues and tournaments are often unremarkable and lack the symbolic value found in trophies used on international stages.
Mamur acknowledged the federation’s work in promoting football across the country, especially at the grassroots level. However, he argued that the standard practice of purchasing readily available trophies from shops without any distinctive features undermines the stature and prestige of South Sudan’s growing football scene.
He pointed to globally recognized trophies such as the FIFA World Cup, the Africa Cup of Nations, and the UEFA Champions League as examples of excellence in design and symbolism.
These trophies, he noted, are not just prizes but cultural icons that represent the competitive spirit, identity, and pride of the nations they belong to.
According to Mamur, the lack of customized trophies in South Sudan not only diminishes the ceremonial significance of winning but also fails to capture the uniqueness of South Sudanese football.
He emphasized that national trophies should be meticulously designed to reflect the country’s history, values, and ambition in the sport.
He called on the SSFF to abandon the use of off the shelf trophies and instead begin a thoughtful and strategic process to commission and design original, high quality trophies.
He described this move as an important step toward the professionalization of football in South Sudan and a way of showcasing the country’s ambitions on the continental and global stages.
“This is an investment in the future of South Sudanese football,” he wrote, urging decision makers to consider the matter seriously.
“Let us create trophies that truly represent the heart and soul of our beautiful game in South Sudan.”
While the SSFF has not yet issued a formal response, Mamur’s proposal is likely to resonate among stakeholders who are eager to see South Sudan’s football institutions reflect both excellence and national identity.
Mamur signed the letter in his capacity as Secretary of the Yei Football Association, with the letter bearing the official stamp of the association.
Letter to SSFF Calls for Artistic, Identity-Based Trophy Design
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