In a statement released on the morning of Wednesday 19th August, the Namuwongo Blazers revealed that they had formally requested FUBA to postpone game 6 of the NBL Finals. This comes after their formal protest against the City Oilers for violating the foreign player law.

Background

Following their defeat in game 5, the Namuwongo Blazers filed a protest against the City Oilers for violating the foreign player law. They argued that they Oilers had used more foreign players than the required 4. As thus, they violated the law and FUBA had to look into the issue.

Technically, the city Oilers did not violate the law because they only had 4 players registered as foreign. However, Namuwongo singled out one player, Malual Dier, who was registered as Ugandan.

It is said that Malual was previous registered as a foreign player. However, his status changed this year and the Blazers queried about the documents used to clear him. As per the law, there is doubt of the nationality of a player, they are requested to provide a passport.

What is unknown is, did the competition council ever doubt Malual’s nationality? I yes, did they ask for the Passport? If they never doubted his nationality, then something must have convinced them that he is Ugandan.

Is postponement the right thing to do?

Postponement will have a huge impact on the game. However, if investigations are ongoing then it makes no sense to halt the finals, finish this case and then proceed. The Nam Blazers argue that; “proceeding before determination of the protest would prejudice the club and compromise fairness of the playoff series.”

Think about it for a second, game 6 of 7 is played and the City Oilers win. However, the investigations reveal that they violated the laws knowingly or unknowingly? What could cause more backlash, taking the title from City oilers after they won it on the floor or halting the series and finishing the case then proceeding after?

Did the City Oilers violate the foreign player law?

Who will get affected if there is postponement?

First and foremost, the players. The players have been preparing for this and removing the game a few hours to tipoff greatly affects the momentum of the series.

Very many fans prepared themselves for this game and worked around their schedules so as to be available for the game. If it is postponed, all that will have been for nothing. A number of them already bought tickets, who price was increased to 20,000, so as to watch the game. So in case the game doesn’t happen, will they be refunded?

The NBL also will be affected because they had planned for the game and already made arrangements. If the game doesn’t happen, the fans may be less and also the series will drag.

Will the game be postponed?

Communication from FUBA has always been very poor. Even about the receipt of the protest, you would have expected the federation to say something but silence. For all we know; the game is supposed to happen. If it won’t happen, the information may come out like 3 hours to the start of the games.

This case is as easy as presenting the documents. If Malual had them, I don’t think there would be anything to discuss. Actually, if the documents are not there, the Blazers have no case. However, if the documents are not there, the case should be discussed and completed before the series can resume.

So, will the game be postponed? If the documents are there, I think we shall have the game go on as planned. Otherwise, we await for communication.