Youth and Sports Minister, Zoegar Wilson, has blamed Rufus Anderson for the prolonged crisis in basketball programs as efforts were made by the Liberia National Olympics Committee (LNOC) and the Ministry of Youth and Sports to resolve the internal conflict in the Liberia Basketball association (LBA).
There has been some internal wrangling within the basketball association with Rufus Anderson, who served the association for eight years, on one term, and incumbent leader, Abraham Samukai, on another.
Mr. Zeogar Wilson, who presided over what was considered the last conflict resolution meeting, said from all indications, Rufus Anderson has proven to be the problem in the basketball association.
“Everybody left that meeting today knowing very well that Rufus Anderson is the problem in basketball, because he has refused all the proposals to solve the problem,” Minister Wilson told sports reporters.
Minister Wilson, who sounded frustrated about the outcome of the meeting, added that Anderson’s loyalty is to FIBA, instead of the young people yearning to play basketball.
“His loyalty is to FIBA, instead of the boys and girls that want to go out there and excel,” he quipped.
The angry Sports Minister labeled Anderson unpatriotic, citing his huge ego as too much to handle.
“For four years you have been holding basketball hostage .It clearly shows a man who is unpatriotic, his ego is too much,” he added.
The Sports Minister said Government is now ready to act against the former LBA President.
But responding in an RCI Sports interview, Anderson said he was forcefully removed, and that Minister Wilson has, times without number, made it clear that he supports the current administration.
Anderson has, however, denied that he is holding basketball hostage, declaring that his only goal is to implement FIFA mandate of organizing elections in eight weeks.
“In all clear terms, I was forcefully removed. And since then, the Minister has made it clear that he only recognizes the current administration. Basketball has been played for the last four years without any interference from me, so how am I a problem?” Anderson intoned,”
Several individuals, including former Public works Minister, Koffi Woods, as well as some past and current basketball players, have all appealed to Anderson to let go, but he has, so far, refused.
Liberia has been banned from international basketball activities for the past four years.
