Foreign Based Win SWAL Tournament 

Captain of Foreign Based, Ben Teekloh who showed
great leadership ability throughout the tournament

By Roland M. Mulbah
rolandmulbah@liberiansoccer.com
2316714850

Captain Ben Teekloh’s guided side; Liberian Foreign Based thrashed their younger brothers, Liberia Football Association (LFA) All Star 3-1 in Monrovia at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium Saturday, January 2, 2009 to clinch the Sports Writers Association of Liberia (SWAL) Stars Vacation tournament.

The Local Based side went in front in the first half 1-0 after Barrack Young Controller (BYC) hit man, Andrew Foday Swaray rattled the net, but the Foreign Based came from recess and pulled three goals, a brace from Ben Martins of ZESCO United in Zambia and a marvelous strike from Isaac Pupo to win the first edition of the SWAL Stars Vacation Tournament sponsored by Vantaa Sports.

The three-day’s soccer festival was organized by the Sports Writers Association of Liberia (SWAL) in collaboration with its partners, Vantaa Sports and the Pioneer Sporting Group (PSG).

SWAL had an official closing ceremony where some foreign based Liberian players as well as local based stars were honored for their outstanding performances both in the Diaspora and on the local scene as well as in the just concluded tournament.

Sekou Jabateh Oliseh, who is showcasing in the UEFA Champions League with Russian top flight side CSKA Moscow, was honored as the first Liberian after King George Oppong Manneh Weah to played in the UEFA Champions League group stage, while Ben Martins of ZESCO United in Zambia was honored as the first Liberian footballer to play in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League group stage.

Ben Teekloh of Farul Constanta in Romania was honored by SWAL for exercising good sportsmanship during the entire tournament.

Local Star Adonis Ketter of LFA premier club, Gedi and Sons was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP), while Mighty Barrolle midfielder, Wilfred Greenfield, BYC defensive midfielder, Queenjay Continenta and Isaac Pupo, alias Zola won best player of the day in the first, second and last day of the tournament.

The SWAL Stars vacation tournament was hailed by stakeholders of Liberian football for the level of organization.

It was described as the biggest preseason tournament as far as football in Liberia is concern.