By Mohamed Jaward Nyallay
The ‘Treasurer’ of the Western Area Football Association (WAFA), Augustine Kambo has told Politico that his suspension from the executive of regional association is illegal. Kambo was suspended by the executive last week for what WAFA described as ‘insubordination’.
“Article 12 which talks about the power of the general assembly, which is; admitting, suspending or expelling a member or official. So, I don’t know where they derived these powers from to suspend me. So that is why I don’t even consider that letter. I always see myself as the Treasurer of WAFA,” he said.
Kambo is the current Chairman of the Black Hall Road Football Club. He is halfway through his four-year tenure as treasurer of WAFA. He said it is impossible for the executive to suspend him without the General Assembly of the association approving it, considering his status as an elected member.
Article 8-1a of the WAFA constitution states, “The General Assembly decides whether to admit, suspend or expel a member.”
The Chairman of WAFA, Pastor Philip Buck was contacted by Politico to respond to the circumstances surrounding the suspension. He said he could not respond because he was travelling. However, he directed Politico to the Secretary General of the association, Benjamin Gordon. Gordon did not respond to calls or a text message from Politico regarding the issue.
Kambo’s suspension has been in the pipeline for long. He said the dismissal came following a query letter for not attending meetings. But there seems to be more to his suspension than missing meetings.
Kambo is one among four people who in their individual capacities as members of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) decided to sue the national FA at the High Court.
Among many other things, they are seeking to know whether it was legal for the FA to decide that only teams from the Northern region would play in the playoffs for two new Premier League spots.
The presiding judge, Justice Komba Kamanda is still deciding on the case after listening to thorough arguments from both legal counsels.
Pastor Buck and Kambo are on opposite sides of this suit; Buck is representing SLFA, whiles Kambo is representing himself, even though both men are members of SLFA and WAFA. Insiders say the case has put a strain on the relationship between Kambo and other executive members.
Ironically, a win for Kambo in the court case could see teams who have played the Division 1 competition in the Western Area have a rightful shot at getting to the Premier League. This will be done under Buck’s watch as the chairman.
A win for SLFA could see Division 1 clubs in the Western Area wait at least a year to get a chance to play for a Premier League spot.
No matter how the High Court rules, all scenarios could happen whiles Buck is at the helm of WAFA, something that might have series of consequences on the membership of the association depending on the outcome of the case.
Kambo’s suspension doesn’t have a timeline. For now, he has not announced his next move. He said he is focused on the court case and his next steps might be determined later.
“I want to exercise some patient; we have a court case. I want to wait, let us see after the ruling we will take other necessary steps.”
He added: “But then again I will always say I am the treasurer for the Western Area Football Association. I was elected for a four-year period.”
© 2019 Politico Online
