Monrovia -Days after hosting a successful pre-tournament, the Liberia Wheel Chair Basketball Federation has with immediate effect revoked the status of Madam Mamie Free as Goodwill Ambassador of the federation.
By: Christopher C Walker 0777898224/0886723075 [email protected]
According to a release dated February 21, 2024 signed by its Secretary General Klennious Blamo, Madam Free’s affiliation with the federation has also been terminated.
The release further stated that Madam Free appointment by the Board of Directors of the federation was to represent the good image of the institution on the international scene by demonstrating high degree of professionalism, accountability, transparency, but alleged that she became a self-seeking venture.
The release also said the LNWBF realized that Ms. Free’s endeavors and interaction with diaspora sponsors has not served the best interest of the federation, alleging that she rather diverted all donations in the name of Liberia National Wheelchair Basketball Federation for her personal use and selfish desire.
The LNWBF release added that as a consequence of her selfish and unprofessional behavior, the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Liberia National Wheel Chair Basketball Federation (LNWBF) on Monday, February 20, 2024, in a mass meeting, passed a ‘Vote of No Confidence’ in her by revoking the status of Goodwill Ambassador and further terminated any and all association and affiliation with her.
The letter of withdrawal of status and termination of association, including a five-count resolution signed by executives of LNWBF, was served to Ms. Free on February 20, 2024 by the chairperson of the Board of Directors, Mrs. Florence Mamusu Thornes.
But responding to the information, Madam Free said she was already planning to resign her position due to several irregularities and what she also called threats against her life by the wife of Ambassador Lionel Johnson President of the Liberia National Wheel Chair Basketball Federation.
Ms. Free acknowledged that the wife of LNWBF President sent her voice recording, threatening her if she go to the media to explain about her husband regarding issues of the federation.
” Couple of my friends advised me before about Mr. Johnson attitude in terms of his lack of transparency and accountability. When they wanted to make me goodwill ambassador at the initial stage, I received several concerns from friends advising me to reject the idea but I did not listen,” she said.
“Today, I’m experiencing the worst case in terms of characters defamation just because I decided to bring openness to organization that I felt I needed to help because I’m also in said condition, she said”
She told the media that after taking over the position as Goodwill Ambassador of the federation, she used her influence to brand the organization on the international scene, which today the Liberia National Wheel Chair Basketball Federation is well known in the United Kingdom, USA, Australia and the Netherlands where she is based among others.
“Now, I believe this is what Mr. Johnson doesn’t want. For every time I received donation, be it cash or materials, I always make it public by posting it on my Facebook page through video or written information for the federation to be aware of what is coming in”
“Even the recent Pre-Tournament we had at the Unifications Sports Park in Monrovia, 2nd Lady of the Republic of Liberia Staphnnie Dahn-Koung gave us 500usd which I did post on my page and additional 800 was generated and it was also posted”.
“It will interest you to know that Mr. Johnson does not want for the players to know about the money coming in the federation and other material donations. Before the pre-tournament, a group in the US gave us 500usd and they requested for their logo to be used on jersey and Mr. Johnson also said a company here in Liberia donated materials of over 5000usd but nobody know about this donation, she narrated”.
The former goodwill ambassador of the Liberia National Wheel Chair Basketball Federation said before accepting her position, some players had series of issues with Mr. Johnson which caused them to stay away from every activity being organized by the federation citing lack of transparency, accountability and feeling for players.
She said as Goodwill Ambassador, she managed to win the minds of the players over due to sanity she restored in keeping with openness, their wellbeing, transparency, accountability among others.
“I have every receipt of money trans-action in my position about the federation. I’m standing by to provide further clarity, she concluded”