From the football-dominated West to cricket-mad South Asia and niche regional favorites, the continent showcases an eclectic athletic landscape.

Football takes the crown in the majority of Asian nations, particularly in the Middle East, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia .

Countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, the UAE, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Kazakhstan all list football as their number one sport. The global game's widespread accessibility and international appeal have helped it gain deep roots across the region.

Cricket unsurprisingly emerges as the undisputed favorite in India and Pakistan, where the sport is not just a game but a national obsession.

Neighbouring Afghanistan and Sri Lanka also align with this trend. Despite economic challenges, cricket remains a unifying and celebratory force in these countries.

In China and the Philippines , basketball has carved out a dominant spot. China’s massive investment in professional leagues and the NBA’s popularity have helped solidify its appeal.

Meanwhile, in the Philippines, street and school basketball have long been integral to everyday life.

Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan  stand out with baseball as their top sport, an influence dating back to American occupation and cultural exchange.

The sport enjoys professional leagues, loyal fanbases, and school-to-pro pipelines, especially in Japan where it's considered a national pastime.

A few countries highlight lesser globally-known but culturally significant sports:

This iconic moment marked the beginning of his journey to becoming one of the greatest basketball players of all time.

The auction , organised by Julien’s Auctions, is part of their "Legends in Motion" exhibition, which showcases artefacts from global icons.

The event promises to be a highlight for collectors, with the LeBron James jersey expected to be one of the star attractions. The jersey's estimated value ranges between $1 million and $2 million, potentially setting a record for the most expensive high school jersey ever sold.

David Goodman, CEO of Julien’s Auctions, expressed excitement about the event, stating, “We are thrilled to present this extraordinary piece of sports history. The jersey represents a pivotal moment in LeBron James' career and is a testament to his enduring legacy”

"We've 80 items going on the auction block but of course taking centre stage is this shirt worn by LeBron James, the Irish number 23, St Vincent St Mary High School February 2002, when LeBron announced to the world that he was turning professional," added Julien's Auctions co-founder, Martin Nolan.

Julien's Auctions "Legends in Motion" is set to take place on September 28 at the Shangri-La Hotel, as well as online.

Luol Deng, president of the South Sudan Basketball Federation (SSBF), addressed the crowd, calling the team’s Olympic journey a breakthrough moment. "When we first started, nobody thought that South Sudan had a place, not only in Africa but in the world, to compete. Now, people are starting to see our potential, and because of you, we are on our way," Deng said.

"For years and years and years, South Sudan has not had the opportunity and has not had the chance to be able to show the rest of the world our talent, to show the rest of the world our unity, and to show the rest of the world what's really in our heart. And right now, South Sudan is the heart of Africa and we will keep on representing it. What I always tell my players and my message to my players is that what makes us so unique is that we are playing for something different than just basketball," he added.

Despite falling short of a medal after group stage defeats by the United States and Serbia, the performance of the Bright Stars in Paris has brought immense pride to South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation, and a neighbour to war-torn Sudan.

Born in Raleigh, North Carolina, on April 11, 1992, Wakama pursued her education at Western Carolina University, graduating with a degree in Therapeutic Recreation in 2014. She later earned an MBA from Manhattan College in 2019.

Professional Journey

Wakama's professional basketball career began in 2014 as an athlete with FIBA in the United Kingdom. She played four years with the Western Carolina Catamounts before moving to Nigeria, where she played for Nigeria’s First Bank team in the Africa Champions Cup and the Women’s AfroBasket tournament in 2015.

In 2017, Wakama became the director of basketball operations at Manhattan College, overseeing administrative affairs. Over six seasons, she transitioned to the roles of Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator. She also served as an assistant coach for Tulane University's women’s basketball team and spent a year as an Assistant Coach at Stony Brook, beginning in July 2023.

Achievements

Wakama's prominence grew when she led the D’Tigress to their fourth consecutive AfroBasket title in 2023, becoming the first woman to win the tournament. She later guided the team to Olympic qualification and now their historic quarterfinal entry since 2004.

Under her guidance, Manhattan College achieved a 21-11 record in the 2021-22 season, marking the most wins in a single season since 2010-2011 and the team's third straight winning season.

Wakama's leadership and strategic capabilities have not only brought success to Nigeria's women’s basketball team but also inspired many in the sport . Now, Rena is hoping to continue her historic adventures as her team faces the defending champions, the US women's team on August 7, 2024.

D'Tigress, as the team is known, is the first African team to reach this stage in the Olympic Basketball Tournaments for both men and women. Their dominant third quarter, outscoring Canada 23-5 with a 15-0 run set the stage for their victory. 

Shooting 45 percent from the field and 38 percent from deep, Nigeria's defence was pivotal, holding Canada to just 37 percent overall and a poor 5-26 from long distance. 

Next, Nigeria will face the defending champions, the US women’s team, on August 7, who are aiming for their 10th Olympic gold. 

South Sudan's national basketball team, the Bright Stars, narrowly missed a historic win against Team USA, losing 101-100 in a friendly match in London. The team, led by former NBA star Luol Deng, is making their Olympic debut and has sparked a growing basketball culture in South Sudan, bringing hope to a country plagued by conflict. Despite the loss, the Bright Stars are inspiring new generations and the construction of basketball courts across the country.

Central Bank wins continental award

South Sudan's Central Bank won a continental award for its efforts in advocating for financial inclusion and promoting digital banking infrastructure. The award was presented in London, and officials and government institutions see it as inspiring efforts to shape the country's economy and governance. The Central Bank governor was commended for his dedication to economic development, and the award is seen as an opportunity to attract investors and diversify the economy. The African Leadership Magazine Summit is an annual programme that brings together leaders to discuss Africa's social, economic, and environmental sustainability, the Sudan Tribune reports.

President hails basketball team performance against US

South Sudan President Salva Kiir praised the national basketball team for their performance against the US. The team narrowly lost but made history by qualifying for the Summer Olympics. The players expressed pride in representing their country on the global stage. The US coach admitted underestimating the South Sudanese team and praised their performance. The South Sudan team's head coach commended the players for their resilience.

Shutdown of oil exports

South Sudan is considering shutting down its oil exports due to financial strain caused by a lack of consensus with Sudan. The country's civil servants have gone without salaries for 9 months, and less than 140,000 barrels of oil are being exported. The situation has been worsened by a rupture in an oil pipeline, causing a halt in shipments. According to the Sudan Tribune , this has led to ongoing negotiations and tensions between South Sudan and Sudan, exacerbating economic stress and potential political turmoil in South Sudan.

Scale up actions to build farmers’ climate resilience

The Government of South Sudan, the World Bank, and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) are working together on a $30 million project to help smallholder farmers in South Sudan build climate resilience in the face of floods and extreme weather. The project aims to support good agricultural practices, agroforestry, and natural resource management. It will benefit over 140,000 households and will be implemented over three years. According to ReliefWeb , this initiative is crucial to boost smallholder farmers’ resilience to climate shocks and minimise damage to their crops and livelihoods.

Leading the pack is the unbeatable Cristiano Ronaldo, who, at the age of 39, has clinched the title of the highest-paid athlete for the fourth time in his career. Ronaldo's move to Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia has proven to be a lucrative decision, with an estimated total income of $260 million, including endorsements.

Following closely is Jon Rahm, the Spanish golf sensation, who made a seismic shift by joining the LIV Golf League. His decision was rewarded with an estimated annual earning of $218 million, marking the highest total ever by a golfer and securing him the second spot on the list.

The realm of football continues to dominate the charts with Lionel who has benefited from the Middle Eastern investment in sports, earning $135 million over the last 12 months.

Basketball, too, has its share of financial superstars, with LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo earning spots 4 and 5 respectively in the top five. Thanks to their on-court prowess and off-court endorsements Lebron James earns a whopping $ 128.2 million while Giannis earns $ 111 million.

According to Forbes , the list of 2024's highest-paid athletes reflects the changing landscape of sports economics. With Middle Eastern money continuing to flow into sports, the earnings from on-field performances have seen a significant increase.

This year also marks a shift in the demographics of top earners, with a notable presence of athletes under the age of 30.

The year-round program will include on-court training, skill development, and basketball education for all skill levels.

Head of NBA Egypt Mohamed Soliman said the launch of the school is a significant breakthrough in their efforts to expand the basketball game in Egypt and across the continent.

“This landmark initiative will provide Uppingham School Cairo students with the opportunity to learn the game the right way and progress their development under the guidance of NBA-selected coaches,” he said .

“Through this initiative, our students and their families will access a world-class training program that fosters leadership skills and promotes overall personal growth,” New Era Education Board Chairman Dr. Tamer Tammam said.

The NBA Basketball School will build on previous NBA efforts in Cairo, such as the Basketball Africa League Nile Conference games, Jr. NBA clinics, the 18th Basketball Without Borders Africa event, and the launch of the NBA Egypt office in January 2023.

The curriculum for the NBA Basketball School was created by the NBA’s International Basketball Operations team with input from current and former NBA coaches, players, and development experts.

Since 2017, NBA Basketball Schools have opened in many countries, including Australia, Brazil, China, and India.