Don’t Blame Izetta
-Says Aliou Bah

After a protected period where she has worked diligently in taking Liberian football to higher heights even though being criticized by individuals considered enemies of progress, who are keen on power at the level of LFA for their personal gains, their are some stakeholders who feel FIFA most decorated female President, Cllr. Sombo Izetta Wesley is not to be blamed for the downward tendency of Liberian football.
 

In an interview with LFA second division club, Fulani FC President, Mr. Aliou Bah, he noted that stakeholders should be blamed for the sliding of football in Liberian because they have failed to elect individuals who are capable of running football in Liberia.
 

Mr. Aliou Bah, who recently coached Montserrado County in the just ended national County Meet, noted that individuals have been elected to several positions at the level of the local football house, but failed to live up to promise which he feels are responsible for the downward trend of football in Liberia and not the hardworking incumbent President, Cllr. Sombo Izetta Wesley.
 

He made keen mentions of the current LFA Vice President for Administration and Operations, Mr. Pennoh Bestman and Adolph Lawrence, as well as some Executive Committee (EC) members, who he feels are betrayal of LFA stakeholders’ confidence.
 

“We trusted them, but they have failed to impress, so I feel they must give way, but not Izetta.
 

“Cllr. Wesley has done extremely well, but her two deputies have failed and I feel they should not be reelected.
 

“Take for example the VPA, Mr. Bestman, who is the Deputy Manager at Roberts International Airport (RIA), how will he work effectively at the LFA?
 

“The VPO is another individual who is basically concerned with his lucrative jobs outside, but the President is busy trying to link LFA with her partners,” Mr. Bah noted.
 

As for Mr. Bility, who is seeking power at the LFA, the coach and administrator noted “I have heard in the corridors that LFA premier club President, Watanga FC, Mr. Musa Bility is coming on board with business oriented mind, but the question is: What level of transformation did he carry at Watanga FC before seeking power at the LFA with this so called business mind.
 

“Let us be careful and don’t put Liberian football in chaos. Stakeholders must be cautious of sycophants, who could put Liberia football backward,” he noted.

More To Follow

A Little About Cllr. Wesley

The Iron Lady of Liberian football entered the corridors of football powers in 1997 as Vice President for Administration to work alongside current Montserrado County District Number Five Representative Honorable Edwin Melvin Snowe, who later became President of LFA.

Mr. Snowe chose her at the time because she had made immense contributions in football development even though being a woman.

In 2001, Cllr. Wesley retained her vice president position by overpowering Pennoh W. Bestman, who is now occupying the post.

When Mr. Snowe resigned in 2003 to focus on his well-paid job as LPRC Managing Director, Madam Wesley became LFA President through the ascendancy clause of the local football laws.

Her first challenge was to complete the stalled FIFA Gold Project at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium (ATS).

Most importantly, she ensured that her entity did not have to pay anymore rental, thereby completing the headquarters of the football house at the ATS.

Her leadership secured for the country a FIFA Goal Project at the ATS coupled with the ‘Win in Africa with Africa’ initiative that gave birth to the Nancy B. Doe Stadium in Kakata, Margibi County.

In addition to major breakthroughs already mentioned, there were numerous FIFA and CAF courses for coaches, referees and officials. The Iron Lady has decentralized football under her reign with the national league now being played and watched in Margibi County, Grand Bassa County, Bong County, Nimba County and as usual, Montserrado County.

Other achievements of Cllr Wesley include a plan for a football academy in Careysburg District.

Cllr. Wesley has the requisite leadership credentials after serving the public and private sectors for a protracted number of years.

Before retiring from the Ministry of Lands, Mines & Energy, the LFA President spent over 25 years at that government entity. She played a major role in the running of the nation’s popular club IE before going to head Clara Town based Survivors FC in addition to being an official of the Liberia Athletics Federation (LAF). Cllr. Wesley became President of the Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia (AFELL).

Currently, she is an executive member of the Liberia Action Party (LAP), Independent Old-timers Sports Association as well as Brazil Social and Athletic Club. A devoted Christian, she is a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church. Cllr. Wesley has proven her worth on the international scene, thus becoming Vice President of the West African Football Union (WAFU), member of the FIFA Committees on Women’s Football and the FIFA Women’s World Cup as well as International Match Commissioner.