South Sudan Football Association (SSFA) elections which were scheduled to conclude this month have been postponed indefinitely due to “political interference.”
SSFA’s Electoral Committee is accused of colluding with a section of members of the ruling party SPLM and allied States Governors to manipulate regional votes in favor of one candidate, who if vying for SSFA president.
“There are many complaints from members of the General Assembly,” Chabur Goc Alei, former SSFA president, who is defending his seat told Soka25east.com.
Nasir Local Football Association, a regional FA, is among many which have written to FIFA, the world’s football governing body seeking their help.
NLFA specifically wants FIFA to help them arrange for fresh elections within the region.
A ministerial order last year saw the body’s Extra Ordinary General Assembly shifted to the capital Juba against its statutes.
“We would like to arrange for Nasir Football Association elections in Nasir region,” the letter to FIFA written by the Secretary General Wuor Gatkuoth reads in part.
Kuajok Local Football Association has also moved to FIFA asking for dismissal of the electoral committee and appeals committee for biasness.
“The electoral committee has taken sides, supporting candidates based on briberies and tribalism.”
In Gogrial State, the governor Gen. Gregory Deng has cancelled an order by his own Minister for Information, Culture, Youth and Sports, which handed over operations of the local association to a committee led by Mr. Simon Kuajok.
“Mr. Akec Reng is hereby reinstated to continue to continue with his leadership as the chairperson of the Kuojok Football Association,” Deng ordered.
Management of the game in the youngest member of FIFA has been in turmoil in the past years with different groups seeking forceful control.
Last year, Mr. Chabur, the SSFA boss, survived two attempted coups to oust him out of office with FIFA coming to his aid on both occasions.
