By Fred Kalombo
LUSAKA, Zambia – The Squash Federation of Africa (SFA) has suspended Uganda Squash Rackets Association (USRA) because of poor governance and unprofessional way of handling the office.
Dr. Lucky Mlilo, the SFA President in a communication sent out on February 2nd confirmed that Uganda has been suspended.
“The SFA has no trust in the current USRA Executive due to it’s unprofessional conduct and untrustworthy and is no longer willing to work with them. SFA Executive’s final decision is to immediately suspend USRA from SFA and calls for fresh elections, and an external audit to be conducted under the National Sports Council, while an interim Committee will suffice,” said the communication also signed SFA secretary, Charmaine Koyeya.
The development comes after the USRA hosted the Africa Seniors Squash Championship last November, but failed to settle outstanding dues to professional players, referees and SFA among others.
The African Squash body went ahead to petition the National Council of Sports (NCS) and the Uganda Sports Minister Peter Ogwang last December about the mismanagement of the African tournament under the leadership of USRA President John Bosco Tamwesigire.
In a letter dated November 26, SFA pointed out that several irregularities tainted the image of the Africa Seniors Squash Championship.
Some of the challenges faced included: lack of government funding, a last-minute shift from the approved venue at Kabira Country Club to the inadequate Pearl of Africa Hotel courts, substandard accommodation, poor transport and medical arrangements, lack of security, and chaotic communication.
The SFA President was also accused of only paying US$3000 instead of US$7000 towards the tournament prize money. Although the USRA President Tamwesigire reportedly resigned last December, reports in Uganda suggest he is still managing affairs of Squash in the country.
USRA or the Ugandan government through the National Council of Sports (NCS) has not come out to comment on the suspension by the Africa Squash body which will keep Ugandan players out from participating in International Championships.
