BBC World News

Team GB and Chicago Bulls basketball star Luol Deng has made an emotional return to Southern Sudan, the place of his birth, for the first time since he was forced to flee 20 years ago.

On Wednesday 25 August, footage will be available on the BBC's International news services including: bbc.com/2012 and reports on BBC World News (television) and BBC World Service (radio and online).

The BBC follows Deng (described as one of Barack Obama’s favourite sportsmen) as he is reunited with his fellow Southern Sudanese ahead of the referendum. The referendum will determine if Southern Sudan becomes independent from the north to become Africa’s first new country in 20 years. Along with interviews with a number of political figures in the area. Deng also talks to the people about their hopes and fears.

The BBC's Sports News correspondent, Tim Franks, accompanied Deng on the trip with UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees), which took him from the refugee camps of North West Kenya to the very heart of his homeland.

The following are quotes are from the documentary that will air on Thursday 2 September, with an extended feature on Sunday 5 September on BBC World Service.

Deng, who was forced to flee Somalia aged five to Egypt and then Britain, talks about his return to his homeland, the first time since he fled 20 years ago:

“This is what I always say: I’m Sudanese. I can’t get it out of me. I mean I know I’m gone for 20 years, I was five. But I really feel like I’m going home.”

“I’ve seen both sides of the world. I was a refugee and I had nothing and now I own a lot of money and I’m known. I’m one of the best paid athletes so I mean luck has a lot to do with that.”

Deng reacts to the overwhelming reception from hundreds of school children in Southern Sudan, who sing his name and welcome him home as a hero:

“I want all of you guys to know this: I know today you guys are welcoming me, but I want all you guys to know this and believe it. That you could be here, standing here. I just want you to know that everyone of you guys is capable of being somebody special. Maybe you’ll be the President of this country and one day you’re going to lead us. You’re going to lead us and we’re going to have a great country.”

Deng talks to people in a refugee camp in Kakuma in North West Kenya, including the 'Lost Boys' who fled Southern Sudan 20 years ago, about what the referendum might mean for them, and to find out if they intend to return for the referendum. As it transpired a number of them have already returned to Southern Sudan only to be sent back by their families who feel the facilities at the camp are better than those available in their homeland.

“I just thought it was important for me, coming here first to see what it is like. I know UNHCR are doing a great thing in taking refugees from all over, but once you walk in here it’s a different story. And all you can do is think how do you help?”

“It’s kind of tough to hear. I said it many times, it’s luck. These guys really had no choice, these guys had no one to go to. Not only can they not go home, they have nothing in Sudan. And the tough part is they’re on their own.”

He visits the house in which he was born, where he hid under the bed with his brother as bullets flew across the room, as well as the school his Foundation has rebuilt after it was destroyed during the war:

"I’m happy that at least something is started, but you can still see it still needs a lot of things to be done and hopefully we can continue to fund the school and do things slowly.”

As his trip comes to an end, Deng reflects on what he has seen and his hopes and fears for the future of his homeland:

"If we become our own country are we ready for these refugees to rush here? When I was in Kakuma and talking to some of those guys what really scared me was a lot of them said: ‘if we go home, it’s going to be worse than Kakuma’. To be honest with you I couldn’t tell them to go home right away. I feel like, Sudan is a beautiful country, but I don’t know if these guys would it have it better right now living here or being in Kakuma.”

“It means a lot to me. It’s a little overwhelming. I know it took 20 years for me to come home, but my whole experience, my whole feeling is so different now. I’ve never been in a place where I can walk down the street and I actually feel home, I don’t feel like a refugee. I’m speaking my language, I'm seeing my own people.”

His father Aldo, a former MP, was imprisoned after Deng fled with his mother and siblings. He survived and welcomes his son's return:

“This is for me a comfort. To see your children come home and embrace their countrymen, to see for themselves the problems, you feel proud. It is excellent for us.”

This story is part of World Olympic Dreams, which launched on Tuesday 27 July 2010. World Olympic Dreams is following individual stories featuring many athletes from around the world as they strive to turn their hopes for Olympic success at London 2012 into a reality.