Ellen Goes To ATS

By Julu M. Johnson, Jr.

The President of Liberia, Her Excellency Mrs. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf appeared at her first sporting event since ascending to the nation's highest seat early this year.

On Sunday, July 30, 2006, Mrs. Sirleaf was present at the final match of the Independence Day tournament between the Lone Star Under-23 squad and the Liberian players based in Indonesia.

Madam Sirleaf was accompanied to the match by a number of government officials and the numerous citizens that turned out were glad that she took time off in gracing the occasion.

Those public officials that accompanied her included House of Representatives Speaker Edwin M. Snowe, Defense Minister Brownie Samukai and Presidential Press Secretary Cyrus Badio.

Having greeted players of both sides, the Liberian President took the kickoff and later watched the match from the VIP box until the dying minute when she had to leave.

Meanwhile, the match ended goalless but the Indonesian based players lifted the trophy as a result of an advantage over the number of goals conceded.