Yellow Card to the Mozambican Basketball Federation: For the Lambebotismo Pro-Max presented beyond borders

Yellow Card to the Mozambican Basketball Federation: Lambebotismo as a Serious Technical Foul

It is regrettable and deeply concerning to witness the way the Mozambican Basketball Federation (FMB) exposed itself and its national team athletes to ridicule in the midst of an African Basketball celebration, transforming the biggest continental celebration of the sport into a cult of flattery. When national basketball most needs strategic planning, and the work of massification and deep structuring, institutional independence, and the courage to face the challenges of modern sport, the federation has shown itself unprepared to achieve this goal. These gentlemen prefer the convenience of political comfort to the boldness of reforming a sport in decline. This is called "sycophancy" (the systematic practice of flattering those in power), usually with the aim of securing protection, promotion, or funding. Flattery has already become common currency in many public institutions, but its consolidation in the sports sphere, especially in basketball, is a symptom of a much more serious structural disease.

The problem isn't limited to occasional flattery or smiling poses alongside government figures. It's an institutionalized stance that shapes decisions, guides priorities, and alienates anyone who dares to think differently or challenge the status quo. Instead of promoting national talent, investing seriously in youth development, developing competitive regional leagues, and ensuring dignity and visibility for grassroots clubs, the FMB has dedicated itself to glorifying figures in power, transforming press conferences into moments of veneration, and shaping institutional communication as if it were serving a central committee, not the sport itself.

Behind the scenes, the atmosphere is one of fear and restraint. Coaches, managers, and even players who express dissatisfaction with the federation's direction are labeled as "problem elements" and often removed from important projects. There is no room for constructive criticism or dissenting opinions. The most valued criterion for advancement within the federation's structure seems to be the ability to please those "higher up," regardless of technical knowledge, experience, or genuine contribution to the development of national basketball.

Flattery, when institutionalized, is corrosive. It undermines the competitive spirit and strips sport of its most valuable asset: the ability to inspire through overcoming obstacles, fairness, and merit. A leader chosen for political loyalty rather than technical competence, or a coach promoted for strategically applauding, will have a hard time motivating athletes to give their best or to believe in a fair system. When merit ceases to be the fundamental criterion, everything else crumbles, and that's exactly what we're seeing in many spheres of Mozambican basketball.

We must denounce the complicit silence of many public figures who, even aware of the flaws within the federation, prefer to remain silent to avoid losing privileges or opportunities. The culture of fear breeds submission, and this submission fuels the continuation of a management system that fails to address the real needs of the sport's players. Meanwhile, the arenas remain empty, the championships are held without success, promising talents abandon their careers due to lack of support, and the public loses interest in basketball, a sport that was once a symbol of national pride but now struggles to remain relevant.

It is urgent to break this cycle. The Mozambican Basketball Federation requires profound structural reform, beginning with the adoption of principles of transparency, democratic participation, and accountability. Clubs must regain their deliberative power, provincial associations must be given a serious hearing, and athletes must have effective representation in decision-making bodies. The road is long, but necessary.

Sport is, by definition, a space for freedom, self-improvement, and creativity. It cannot be held hostage by political interests nor serve as a springboard for partisan careers. When a federation loses its autonomy and begins to operate as an ideological extension of the government, what is at stake is no longer just the sport itself, but the very idea of citizenship and social participation. The capture of basketball by interests outside the game cannot be tolerated—not by athletes, clubs, or society at large.

This is a yellow card for the FMB. A clear warning that, without structural changes and a true re-founding of its mission, the final whistle will be one of total discredit. Mozambican basketball deserves more than memorized speeches, opportunistic decorations, and behind-the-scenes games. It deserves ethics, vision, and the courage to break the vicious cycle of sycophancy. A game that truly serves the country, not the ego of a few, nor the interests of those who see sports merely as a showcase for political propaganda.

It's time for true basketball lovers to stand up, demand change, and take back control of the sport. Because basketball lovers don't remain silent in the face of mediocrity. They denounce, propose, and fight. The game only begins when the silence ends.