Yei Joint Stars president Eng. Lemi William has acknowledged concerns over the transportation of the South Sudan women’s champions after players were recently seen travelling on the roof rack of a Land Cruiser during preparations for the CECAFA tournament.
The issue came under scrutiny after images showed members of the team travelling on the roof rack of a Land Cruiser, raising questions about player safety ahead of their regional campaign.
Responding to Sports Hunter South Sudan, Lemi admitted that transportation remains a challenge for football teams in South Sudan but stressed that the players’ safety must be taken seriously.
“I am very happy with this point that you brought, that recently I saw the girls using a Land Cruiser,” he said.
Lemi said most South Sudanese football clubs do not own dedicated buses and argued that the situation reflects the wider logistical challenges facing the country’s football clubs.
He recalled his time as president of New Ground FC, saying the club became one of the first teams to acquire its own coaster bus.
“I believe in the whole of South Sudan, we might be having only two or three teams that are having their own means of transport,” he said.
However, Lemi acknowledged that national-team players deserve better treatment and called for caution when transporting the players.
“These are national treasures. These are people that are supposed to be treated better than what we are doing them now,” he said.
With Yei Joint Stars preparing to travel to Rwanda, the president said improving transportation and other logistical arrangements remains part of the club’s plans.
