Upper Nile Deputy Governor Ayong Awer Lual. (-)

The Upper Nile State government has suspended football bodies in Malakal City in fear of insecurity amid a leadership dispute between the rival sports groups.

In a letter dated October 2, 2023, and signed by the acting governor Ayong Awer Lual, the suspended bodies are the impeached Malakal Local Football Association, the incoming association, and the steering committee.

The dispute between the football officials came after some clubs organized a general assembly in September and toppled the former board led by Chol Ayat in vote of no confidence.

Following the impeachment, a steering committee chaired by Deng Monychol was elected in 2021 to act on temporary for two months.

But two weeks later, ousted president Chol Ayat, in collaboration with a group of clubs organized another general assembly in which Ayat was given a green light to continue in office.

Due to the escalating situation, the South Sudan Football Association intervened and dispatched an investigative committee to Malakal to probe the matter.

The SSFA committee then approved the first general assembly and recognized the steering committee under the leadership of Deng Monychol – a decision protested by the other camp, led by Chol Ayat.

However, the state government on Saturday announced the decision to suspend the two bodies and call on SSFA to resolve the matter.

Reacting to the suspension, the steering committee recognized by SSFA said the government move took them by surprise.

The body said it was planning to open the South Sudan Cup tournament in Malakal before it was learned about the order.

Deng Monychol said his group is waiting to be officially notified by the state government before responding accordingly.

“We were preparing for the draw of the South Sudan Cup which is supposed to be at the end of this month, but unfortunately we were surprised by this,” he told Eye Radio.

“So, we will wait for the decision to reach us officially then we will study it and we will contact SSFA to look into this, then from there we will see what to do.”

“We supposed to go for election next month according to article 6 for the formation of local football Associations we supposed to have an election.”

Our effort to reach the outset office under the leadership of Chol Ayat for the comment was not successful.