Published: July 10, 2026
MONROVIA — Liberia National Handball Association (LNHA) President and founder J. Mason Saweler has accused the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MYS) of delaying its findings into the association’s leadership dispute while continuing to recognize and work with a rival faction.
Saweler said the prolonged delay in concluding the ministry’s mediation process undermines due process and hampers the development of handball in Liberia.
“We are not asking for special treatment. We are asking for fairness and for the Ministry of Youth and Sports to conclude its investigation and communicate its findings to all parties,” Saweler said. “It is troubling that one group continues to operate, access resources and represent Liberia internationally while the matter remains before the Ministry and the Confederation Africaine de Handball (CAHB) Arbitration Commission.”
Saweler claimed that during a June 12 mediation meeting organized by the ministry, members of the rival faction acknowledged that the process leading to his 2018 expulsion was improperly handled. He argued that such an admission effectively rendered the expulsion “null and void” and raised questions about the legitimacy of the leadership that followed.
According to Saweler, on Feb. 24, 2018, J. Artus Larkpor, Arthur Dombar, Jonathan Kollie, Varney Kawah, James Kelleh, Samuel Hasay, Deborah and Hadji Sesay informed the International Handball Federation (IHF) that he had been removed from office over alleged financial and procedural misconduct.
Saweler denied the allegations, insisting the process was unlawful because, he said, it excluded key stakeholders and included individuals he described as “fake executive members.” He also alleged that the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Liberia National Olympic Committee (LNOC) were not properly involved in the process.
He said the dispute resulted in competing claims to the LNHA presidency and was subsequently referred to the CAHB Arbitration Commission. However, he noted that the Ministry of Youth and Sports later initiated a mediation process that has yet to produce an official report or determination.
Saweler also questioned what he described as inconsistencies in the Liberia National Olympic Committee’s position.
He alleged that the LNOC initially maintained he had been legally expelled in 2018 but later informed the ministry in 2026 that he had instead lost an election.
According to Saweler, those two positions are contradictory.
He further claimed that during a May 29 hearing at the ministry, LNOC Secretary General Samuel Tukpah acknowledged that the 2018 arbitration process was incomplete and that records related to the matter were missing.
Saweler said that despite participating in several mediation meetings, neither he nor other stakeholders have received the ministry’s official findings. He expressed concern that the continued recognition of the rival faction before the process is concluded compromises the ministry’s neutrality and risks prolonging the dispute.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Liberia National Olympic Committee have not publicly responded to Saweler’s latest allegations.
When contacted Deputy Youth and Sports Minister for Sports, Andy Quamie said the ministry Legal has concluded hearing into the matter and that the findings will soon be released.
He cautioned all sides to remained calmed , emphazing the ministry’s committment to ensuring a peaceful resolution of the matter.
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