Africa-Press – South-Sudan. The General Assembly of the South Sudan Basketball Federation has suspended its basketball star president, Luol Deng, over his alleged failure to respond to a meeting call as his four-year tenure came to an end on Friday.
According to the federation’s constitution, a president is supposed to serve for a term not exceeding four years.
In its Extraordinary General Assembly held in Juba Thursday, the assembly members accused Deng of failing to respond to their call for a meeting as his term ended.
They are now demanding that the basketball legend submits a report of his work plan for the last four years.
“The extra-ordinary general assembly made a resolution to suspend and further investigation to our president Luol Deng to respond to the assembly and also give us a report of the four years of being in the office,” said delegate Andrew Makuei, who spoke on behalf of the SSBF General Assembly.
“(This is) to know exactly what the plans of the federation are, and that is what the general assembly amended today.”
Asked about the way forward, should the President fail to appear before the general assembly, Makuei said, the institution will proceed to elect a new president.
“So, in case of him not coming, we have already passed names for the electoral committee so we will be going on with our process of starting elections.”
“His term is coming to an end and our constitution, says a person is supposed to stay in office for four years, but after four years, we are supposed to start a new governing body.”
“This is a democratic country, so everyone has the right regardless of your state, you have the right to do what you are intended to do as a citizen of South Sudan. So, without him responding to us, we will take another step because he’s not the last guy.”
When contacted, the South Sudan Basketball Federation declined the interview.
Meanwhile, the federation released a press statement on its official Facebook page in what appeared to be a response to the move by the general assembly.
According to the federation, the Minister of Youth and Sports, Dr. Joseph Geng Akech has resolved to put the elections on hold until further notice.
The basketball governing body said it welcomed the call and looked forward to coordinating with the minister to provide the necessary information concerning the status of the federation.
Meanwhile, the federation said, it suspended the Secretary-General and Finance Secretary and vowed to provide the minister with evidence, investigative reports, and any relevant documents that support the suspension of the two officials.
It also resolved the construction of the ten states and three administrative areas basketball courts, citing the state associations shall oversee the project management.
Finally, the basketball governing body cautioned against the spread of misinformation and advised the public to refer to the official Facebook page or website for any official communications.
Under Deng’s tenure, South Sudan Basketball team cruised to FIBA World Cup glory – becoming the last African team standing, and will represent the continent at the upcoming Paris Olympics.
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