Founder and Manager of Nungua Coldstore Basketball Club, Wendell Otoo has passionately called for game officials in the Accra Basketball League (ABL) to be held accountable for their actions.
His plea comes in the wake of the thrilling ABL Men’s Division I contest between Coldstore and rivals Spintex Knights.
The latest chapter of the big rivalry delivered another brilliant and thrilling and controversy filled game of basketball that ended in a default win (2-0) for Knights.
The heated contest ended tied at 75 in regulation time but Coldstore couldn’t see out the contest in overtime due to a combination of injuries to players in the course of the game, foul trouble to players and the ejection of all players on Coldstore’s bench prior to the final minutes of the game in regulation time.
Members of Coldstore’s bench were punished via ejection for leaving the bench area to get involved in an on-court melee that sparked several delays in the game.
In a post-game interview, Spintex Knights head coach Thomas Amedeku stated that rules are rules when addressing the incident while ABL Director Alex Kukula said that the league will act once the league’s disciplinary committee comes out with its report. (Click highlighted text to read full story)
On the part of Coldstore manager Wendell Otoo via a statement cited by Citi Sports, the game was badly officiated and demands urgent attention.
As a dedicated supporter and stakeholder of Ghana Basketball, I am utterly disappointed and frustrated with the way the Accra Basketball League is being organized. The Coldstore vs. Knights rivalry is one of the most historic and intense in our basketball history, dating back to the TBL [Tema Community Basketball League] days. Yet, the officiating in these crucial games has been nothing short of disgraceful.
How do we expect this league to grow when inexperienced and biased officials are allowed to handle such high-profile, high-stakes games? The level of incompetence displayed is shocking. In a recent game, there were 46 free throws awarded to one side and only 6 to the other—an outrageous imbalance that cannot be ignored. This isn’t just poor officiating; it’s a clear miscarriage of justice, and it taints the integrity of our competition.
The constant complaints from teams, especially those facing the Spintex Knights, are justified. How can a league that claims to follow FIBA rules justify giving technical ejections to all members of the bench for rushing the court during a fight, and then awarding the opposing team 12 free throws? Which rule in the FIBA rulebook supports such a bizarre decision? This makes a mockery of the game and undermines the authority of the officials.
Heaaaaat 🔥🔥🔥 I respect this game waaa @ColdstoreB @spintexknights are putting in a show in the @Abbleague pic.twitter.com/xRsQ9Go9Ai
— Yaw Adjei-Mintah (@YawMintYM) May 17, 2025
Furthermore, how can officials ask players to recheck a turnover or restart a free throw due to a missed shot? These are basic rules that should be universally understood and correctly applied. Instead, we see blatant errors and inconsistent calls that leave fans and teams alike questioning the integrity of the officiating.
Alright fellas, that was… something.
Get it all off your chest 👇🏾💬#ABL2025 pic.twitter.com/PcmvQImhZB— Accra Basketball League (@Abbleague) May 17, 2025
The same official officiates the big games involving the Knights and consistently displays clear bias against Coldstore. Why is he repeatedly assigned to these high-stakes matches? The answer is obvious—bias, favoritism, and incompetence are at play.
Naija sinks the three pointer to tie the game at 75 with 9 seconds left in the game @ColdstoreB and @spintexknights delivering an all timer here at the El-Wak Stadium @Abbleague pic.twitter.com/dDtHbrhYxB
— Yaw Adjei-Mintah (@YawMintYM) May 17, 2025
We have already written formally to league management and the authorities, raising these serious concerns about the officiating, especially in matches involving Coldstore and Knights. Yet, nothing has been done. The league continues to allow such biased and incompetent officiating to tarnish our sport.
This must stop. Our league’s reputation is on the line. It’s time for accountability. We demand fair, unbiased officiating, and immediate action to address these gross injustices.
Wendell Otoo
Founder and Manager
Coldstore Basketball
