Below the national association, football in South Sudan is run by local football associations (LFAs) in towns and counties across the country. They organise local leagues, register clubs and develop players, coaches and referees.
What a local football association does
Each LFA is responsible for football in its area. Typical duties include running a local league and cup, registering clubs and players, nominating teams for national competitions, organising referee and coach education with the national association, and representing local clubs at the general assembly where national leaders are elected.
Where they are
Local associations exist in the main towns of every region, including Juba, Wau, Aweil, Bor, Bentiu, Malakal, Rumbek, Torit, Kuajok, Yei and Raja, as well as Abyei. Juba has the largest number of clubs, but towns such as Wau, Bor, Rumbek and Yei have strong football traditions and have produced national champions and internationals.
Training in the regions
National courses increasingly take place outside the capital. In recent years, seven-day referee training programmes have been held in Rumbek, and a combined course in Kuajok trained more than 150 coaches, referees, stewards and administrators. A month-long intensive course brought together more than 30 coaches from 15 local associations, and the association has started offering the CAF C coaching licence.
Governance
Local associations are members of the South Sudan Football Association and must follow its statutes. When an LFA faces disputes or delayed elections, the national board of directors can intervene, for example by extending a leadership's term until new elections are held. These rules mirror the governance structure FIFA requires of all its member associations. Read who runs African football for the bigger picture.
Why it matters
Strong local associations mean more organised matches for young players, better referees and a fairer path to the national leagues. Most of the players who reach the Bright Stars began in local leagues like these.