Jario reinstated as basketball president

REINSTATED Namibia Basketball Federation (NBF) president, Talitha Jario hit out at some of her colleagues yesterday, accusing them of cowardly behaviour after they ousted her as president for three days.

Jario was voted out as president at an annual general meeting in Windhoek on Saturday. In yesterday’s statement, Jario said the few individuals who temporarily unseated her had tarnished the name of the body and destroyed its credibility.Jario was reinstated after the intervention of the Namibia Sport Commission (NSC), which declared her ousting unconstitutional.The AGM was supposed to be an information-sharing meeting, but an unscheduled election was held at which Iipumbu Sakaria was chosen to take over as president.Sakaria claims that he was elected to the position after the regional representatives put in a vote of no confidence in Jario, who was the first woman to head the organisation since Independence.Jario said in her statement that Sakaria constantly tried to challenge her authority and on several times tried to turn the committee against her.”I believe that all this has materialised because individuals are aware that I cannot be manipulated.I am very strict and always enforce discipline among my members,” she stated.She said now that she is back, the NBF will concentrate on its main goal, that of developing the game.The Chief Administrator of the NSC, Rusten Mogane, said the issue of the illegal election was being investigated and measures would be taken against the culprits.Meanwhile, the Khomas Basketball Association has issued a statement saying that it still regards Jario as the president.It said she had its full support and it hoped the NSC would take appropriate action against the individuals who planned the failed coup.In yesterday’s statement, Jario said the few individuals who temporarily unseated her had tarnished the name of the body and destroyed its credibility.Jario was reinstated after the intervention of the Namibia Sport Commission (NSC), which declared her ousting unconstitutional.The AGM was supposed to be an information-sharing meeting, but an unscheduled election was held at which Iipumbu Sakaria was chosen to take over as president.Sakaria claims that he was elected to the position after the regional representatives put in a vote of no confidence in Jario, who was the first woman to head the organisation since Independence.Jario said in her statement that Sakaria constantly tried to challenge her authority and on several times tried to turn the committee against her.”I believe that all this has materialised because individuals are aware that I cannot be manipulated.I am very strict and always enforce discipline among my members,” she stated.She said now that she is back, the NBF will concentrate on its main goal, that of developing the game.The Chief Administrator of the NSC, Rusten Mogane, said the issue of the illegal election was being investigated and measures would be taken against the culprits.Meanwhile, the Khomas Basketball Association has issued a statement saying that it still regards Jario as the president.It said she had its full support and it hoped the NSC would take appropriate action against the individuals who planned the failed coup.