Africa-Press – Liberia. In a significant development for Liberian basketball, Rufus Anderson has been officially reinstated as the President of the Liberia Basketball Association (LBA). The reinstatement took place during a ceremony held on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at the open-air sports commission located on Broad Street.The Liberia Basketball Association has grappled with a leadership crisis over the past five years, with Rufus Anderson and Abraham Samukai both claiming the presidency following a controversial election. After years of turmoil and disputes, all parties involved have now come to an agreement to allow Anderson to oversee new elections.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports, responsible for the reinstatement, has granted Anderson a six-week window to conduct the association’s elections. This decision was prompted by a communication from the Federation of International Basketball Associations (FIBA), which called for Anderson’s reinstatement due to their representative’s absence at the disputed 2019 November 30th General and Elective Assembly.
FIBA’s communication emphasized that, “Once reinstated, the LBA is mandated to conduct a new election in accordance with its statutes within six (6) weeks, with FIBA and the LNOC (Liberia National Olympic Committee) as observers. FIBA expects that the relevant authorities will provide the necessary support to LBA to carry out this assignment.”
Deputy Minister of Sports at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Mr. Andy Quamie, who oversaw Anderson’s reinstatement, urged him to utilize the allotted six weeks effectively for the betterment of basketball in Liberia. He stated, “At the end of the day, after four years of unrest, we are here to start anew. We have been mandated by FIBA to hand over the LBA facilities to Rufus Anderson, who will have six weeks to conduct elections where all stakeholders will be eligible to contest. On behalf of the government of Liberia, we are pleased to transfer the LBA facilities to you and your executive committee members.”
Deputy Minister Quamie stressed the importance of restoring peace to the LBA and providing the younger generation, who had been denied their opportunities for more than four years, the chance to participate in FIBA basketball activities.
In response to the reinstatement, Mr. Anderson expressed his commitment to fulfilling the election process within the stipulated timeframe. He assured Deputy Minister Quamie and the Ministry of Youth and Sports, saying, “I can assure you, by the grace of God, that within the time given to me by FIBA, we will ensure that all necessary actions are taken in strict accordance with our regulations and those of FIBA.”
The reinstatement of Rufus Anderson marks a new beginning for basketball in Liberia, with hopes of resolving the long-standing leadership dispute and rejuvenating the sport at all levels.
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