Gulu Hawks Kicked Out of Playoffs After Fielding Ineligible Player

Gulu Hawks has been ejected from the ongoing FUBA Division One Playoffs over the use of an ineligible player.

This follows a petition from Kampala Rockets to FUBA Competitions Council on Saturday, November 20.

Gulu Hawks had initially eliminated Rockets after winning the Division One quarterfinal series 2-1.

Rockets’ petition contested Gulu Hawks’ use of two players – Olum Larry and Musa Moshen – in game three.

Olum is rightly registered hence was eligible to play for Hawks, but the same cannot be said of Moshen after findings from the FUBA Competitions Council.

Kampala Rockets provided evidence in form of a letter from Bruce Ariho, Head Teacher of Kabale Trinity College, that had the passport size photograph of the said player, and identified the individual in the passport size photograph as Otim Jimmy Brian, who was admitted to the school on a sports scholarship and completed his A Level (UACE) from the same school in April 2021.

In their defence earlier, Gulu Hawks claimed and provided information that Moshen studied at Layibi, information that FUBA Competition Committee has found wanting.

The findings from FUBA Competitions Council have it that the player in contention is not Musa Moshen and was ineligible to feature for Gulu Hawks, playing in the names of another individual.

Excerpts from Competitions Findings:

“That the player who wore jersey No. 6 and played under the names Musa Moshen in the game 3 quarterfinal did not produce authentic identification to prove that he is indeed Musa Moshen.

“That the student identity card from Layibi College was proven to be forged, upon follow up with a school administration official and that Musa Moshen does not appear in their academic records for the period indicated on the I.D card 2019/2020.

“That the account of this player conflicts with the information provided on the Gulu Hawks team registration form under the name Musa Moshen.

“That the player who featured for Gulu Hawks Vs Kampala Rockets in the quarterfinal game 3, wearing Hersey No. 6 and playing under the names Musa Moshen, is not Musa Moshen but Otim Jimmy Brian.”

Consequently, Moshen has been found guilty of impersonation while Gulu Hawks are guilty for providing false documents and fielding an ineligible player.

Moshen will pay $20 while Gulu Hawks have been fined $40 and its game three forfeited.

FUBA Competitions Council, in a ruling from Chairman Donald Byabazaire confirmed that the series which was tied 1-1 before Hawks’ victorous Game three, becomes 2-1 in favour of the Rockets.

Kampala Rockets will meet Tropical Royals in the Division One semis, just a tie away to earning National Basketball League (NBL) Promotion.

Rezlife Saints and Our Saviour Basketball Club will meet in the other semifinal due this weekend.


TOP STORIES

WATCH VIDEOS

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Fortbet