
Monrovia – The prolonged leadership crisis at the Liberia Basketball Association (LBA) is finally nearing its end as the Liberia National Olympic Committee (LNOC) is set to transfer power to embattled LBA President Rufus Anderson.
By Christopher C. Walker, [email protected]
According to reliable sources at the FrontPage Africa Sports desk, the LNOC has reversed its decision and will reinstate Rufus Anderson as the President of the Liberia Basketball Association after a three-year suspension.
In 2020, the LNOC declined to reinstate Anderson following a communication from the Federation of International Basketball Associations (FIBA) requesting his reinstatement. The LNOC had expressed concerns that reinstating Anderson could be detrimental to the sport in Liberia.
A letter dated April 11, 2020, addressed to FIBA, stated that the LNOC considered FIBA’s decision to be a difficult one and feared it could lead to the destruction of basketball in Liberia.
FIBA had previously written to the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Liberia Olympic Committee on March 16, 2020, expressing their disapproval of the incident that occurred during the Elective General Assembly of the LBA on November 30th. They also rejected the election of Abraham Samukai as the president of the LBA, calling for a reconvening of an elective general assembly within three months.

In response to FIBA’s request, LNOC President Philibert S. Browne stated that while reinstating Anderson’s administration may be the right thing to do based on the merits of the case, it would ultimately lead to the destruction of basketball in Liberia. He expressed his reluctance to reinstate Anderson’s administration, fearing the consequences of disregarding FIBA’s mandate.
However, recent efforts to resolve the protracted crisis led to a meeting organized by the Ministry of Youth and Sports with basketball stakeholders. Unfortunately, the meeting concluded without a solution as Anderson rejected an appeal from stakeholders to allow clubs that joined the Liberia Basketball Association National League after 2019 to participate in the election, stating his commitment to honoring FIBA’s mandate.
Nevertheless, FrontPage Africa Sports desk has received a communication from the LNOC instructing the reinstatement of Anderson as President of the LBA and directing him to conduct the LBA election. The LNOC stated that Anderson’s reinstatement would last for a period of eight weeks (two months), during which he would be expected to organize free and fair elections based on the records of the 2019 elections.
The communication emphasized that only candidates who participated in the 2019 elections would be allowed to contest in the upcoming elections, holding the same positions they previously vied for. Active teams from the 2019 roster would also be permitted to participate in the elections.
Additionally, Anderson is prohibited from transferring his authority to anyone else during the eight-week period. The LNOC also clarified that the current league would continue under the supervision of the Basketball Association technicians, and Anderson is not authorized to rent, lease, or provide the gym facilities.
The LNOC expects Anderson to submit a mini-budget for the consideration of the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the LNOC to cover the expenses of conducting the elections. Candidates contesting in the elections will not be required to pay any fees for the positions they are vying for.
FIBA has declared all activities of the Liberia Basketball Association after the 2019 elections as null and void, instructing Anderson to focus on the association’s activities before the 2019 elections and moving forward.
The official turnover of power to Anderson is scheduled to take place on Monday, July 17, 2023.