Rita Dominic, Minister of Youth, Culture and Sports in Central Equatoria State. (SSFA).

The Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sport in Central Equatoria State says she recognizes the legitimacy of the Juba Local Football Association despite the suspension order by the national football-governing body – SSFA.

Rita Dominic made the remarks during an extraordinary General Assembly organized by football clubs in Juba on Saturday.

For many years, Juba Local Football Association and the South Sudan Football Association have been in wrangles over the ownership of Juba Stadium.

Last month, SSFA suspended the state football body for one year, for having allegedly described the SSFA as irresponsible in a letter communicated to the state sports minister.

However, the general assembly of Juba football clubs voiced support for the suspended board of the Juba Local Football Association.

The clubs say they will suspend all football activities in the capital.

Speaking during the assembly, Minister Rita says she was not informed of the SSFA decision and insists that JLFA is the legitimate body to assume control of Juba Stadium.

“Personally, my office did not receive any letter from SSFA saying that your local Association is suspended, that is why at the ministry I considered the body of local football Association is a legal body,” Rita said.

The state minister went on to say that Juba Stadium is still under the ownership of the state football association.

“Let me make it clear, the local football association was handover the stadium for the purpose of renovation only. It was not been given totally to SSFA.”

Last week, the president of the Juba Local Football Association resigned from the Board of Directors of SSFA after the suspension of his amid the escalating dispute between the two federations over the Juba Stadium.