ABADINA Clubs Reject Assembly: They Request FEDOMBAL Intervention Due to Electoral Conflicts

Santo Domingo. – A group of sports clubs, which supports the José Heredia Castillo slate, led by Gilberto de la Cruz, has formally requested the intervention of the Dominican Basketball Federation (FEDOMBAL) and the suspension of all administrative activities of the National District Basketball Association (ABADINA). The call arises in response to the convening of an Extraordinary Assembly by ABADINA, which the group considers illegal and lacking legal validity due to a contested electoral process currently underway in the courts.

While there is a pending litigation before the Court of First Instance of the National District, no authority can exercise administrative functions, convene assemblies, or make decisions that compromise the functioning of the association.

Declaration of the group of clubs

Among the clubs that support this position are: Club Renacer, Los Gladiadores, 5 Mártires, Sembrando el Futuro, La Fe, Varias Luces, Águilas de Guachupita, Villa Francisca, Óscar Santana, Tierra Santa, Marcelino de la Rosa, María Auxiliadora and Ensanche Luperón. The group denounced alleged pressure exerted by the sector that claims to be the leadership of ABADINA on clubs and leaders, with threats of sanctions if they do not participate in the convened assembly. Furthermore, it was pointed out that, despite the ongoing legal process, administrative acts have continued to be carried out and the association’s resources have been managed, which led to the freezing of the accounts as a precautionary measure.

Origin of the conflict

The conflict originated in the Electoral Assembly of December 13th of last year, where two slates competed: one headed by Edwin Castillo and the other by José Heredia Castillo, led by Gilberto de la Cruz. It was reported that the process was tainted by the inclusion of five clubs without the right to vote, in clear violation of ABADINA’s statutes. According to the statutes, clubs that do not participate in at least three under-18 category tournaments lose their right to vote. The irregularities were formally claimed in advance, through acts of a bailiff, without any corrections being made. The official voting result was 17 to 13. However, excluding the challenged votes, the result would have been 13 to 12 in favor of the José Heredia Castillo slate. Despite the challenge, the Electoral Commission proceeded to swear in the challenged slate. Finally, the clubs reiterated their request for FEDOMBAL’s intervention, to stop all administrative activity of ABADINA until a final ruling is issued by the courts. The group emphasized that its position is based on the defense of legality, institutionalism, and transparency of basketball in the National District, and reiterated the call to await the judicial ruling before any new convocation.