Confusion Over Lone Star Camp Site


Tuesday, 3rd October 2006

With just days ahead of the Lone Star’s match against Rwanda, credible reports gathered by our sports desk say there is growing confusion at the LFA over the camp site of the national team.

Our report says the confusion, which initially appeared like a conflict between the Ministry of Youth & Sports and the Liberia Football Association later changed its direction to become an in-house conflict between the FA secretary general, George Williams and vice president for operations, Adolph Lawrence.

The report says Mr. Williams had written the Ministry of Youth & Sports upon instruction from LFA president, Cllr. S. Izetta Wesley after the holding of an executive committee meeting. At that forum the local football house decided for the team to camp at the Thinkers’ Village on the Robertsfield Highway. Accommodation at the facility is put at US$40.00 per room.

According to our source the ministry responded to the FA; raising concern over the US$5.00 hike as the LFA had indicated that the previous cost per chamber was US$35.00 as was indicated in the submitted budget.

In spite of this raise our source said the FA informed the ministry that she will be responsible for the increment.

However whatever transpired is yet to be understood as late yesterday evening, local players were seen loitering at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium awaiting a signal from officials relative to where the designated camping site will be.

At about 6:30 p.m. in the presence of secretary general Williams, the players boarded a yellow transport bus with the view of heading to camp at the Thinkers’ Village.

Minutes later the bus carrying the players was allegedly intercepted by Mr. Lawrence and the venue diverted to the Adolphus Lodge in Gardnersville.

When we contacted Mr. Adolph Lawrence via phone to ascertain why the change of venue, he explained that it was a compromise between Youth and Sports Minister Cllr. Jamesetta Howard-Wolokollie and LFA President, Cllr. S. Izetta Wesley.

He said the compromise was reached because of the lack of food at the Thinkers’ Village and that the boys had spent nearly the whole day without having been fed.

Mr. Adolph Lawrence said he had to get involved because he was the one negotiating with the management of Adolphus Lodge.

He said the latter site was very conducive and ideal and that the players and technical staff were all satisfied.

Our source who traveled with the team also confirmed the idealness of the place but complained of lack of television facilities in the rooms.