Gbarnga, Bong County – The Sports Steering Committee Chairman of the Bong County Sports Association, George Phillip Mulbah, has stepped aside as head of the committee ahead of the start of the 2024/25 National County Sports Meet scheduled to take place this December.
Disclosing to a team of reporters, Thursday, August 29, 2024, during a media engagement focused on financial and operational reports, chairman Mulbah attributed his decision to “false” allegations levied against on the misuse of funds for the county.
The Bong County Sports Steering Committee Chairman has disclosed that during the immediate past National County Sports Meet, the committee under his chairmanship, had an outstanding balance of L$844,030.5 plus USD $3,500 after spending on players and other operational activities.
He detailed that USD $3,500 and LRD 672,000 were received from the Ministry of Youth and Sports as contribution to the county team for the past national competition.
Chairman Mulbah also disclosed that L$72,030.50 was generated from gate intake both in Sanniquelle and SKD and L $100,000 from Winners Inc.
According to him, as Chair of the committee, he had never presided over any financial management, but only approved withdrawals from the account.
The Chairman has called on the county’s leadership to cooperate with him as to allow him to officially turn over to the incoming leadership.
At the same time , the outgoing Sports Steering committee chairman emphasized that, as a professional Civil Society Organization and Public Service actor, he has now decided to pay more attention to his professional duties and family matters.
Additionally, the Bong County outgoing Sports Steering committee’s Chair noted that over the past two plus years serving in such capacity, there have been numerous criticisms and unproven allegations against him, adding that those criticisms have greatly placed his hard-earned reputation at risk.
Moreover, Mulbah further clarified that his decision to vacate the position is in no way attributed to those mere criticisms, but to live up to his previous commitment of leaving the post and to also provide space to would-be predecessor and those eager for the post.
Chairman Mulbah further used the media engagement to commend all those who stood by his leadership during his service to the county through sports.
He named the county’s Legislative Caucus, Ordinary citizens, and the Media among others as organizations that immensely contributed to his leadership for the past two plus years.
The outgoing Sports Steering Committee’s chair is recommending to the county’s leadership to disengage from mixing sports with politics if Bong County is to be successful in the upcoming national competition.
By: Matalay Kollie, Correspondent
