George Weah
Returns To Monrovia
By Julu M. Johnson, Jr.
The Liberian soccer legend George
Oppong Weah has returned to the Liberian capital, Monrovia. The
former World Footballer of the Year reached the capital from the
United States of America after he received the EPY award for his
humanitarian works.
The former player has come to Monrovia for the third time
since former Liberian ruler Charles Taylor was forced into exile.
Weah had vowed not to come to Monrovia unless Mr. Taylor was out of
the Liberian presidency for fear of his safety.
Weah, who reached Monrovia on Wednesday, July 21, 2004, is
expected to resume his disarmament crusade in Liberia, where
thousands of fighters that were involved in the Liberian civil war
are currently laying down their arms.
As UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, Weah has been part
of the disarmament campaign since the process began this year. He
has been giving peace messages that are geared towards discouraging
fighters from taking arms again.
It is likely that the former AC Milan striker
would continue his consultations with stakeholders in Liberian
soccer as regards his intention to become head of the Liberia
Football Association (LFA).
Although authorities within the LFA
have labeled Weah as "unqualified" on grounds that he did not serve
as club president for at least two years despite forming the defunct
Junior Proefssionals, as enshrined in the LFA statutes, the former
African Player of the Year has declared himself qualified because he
served as Vice President for International Affairs during the
previous administration headed by Edwin Snowe.
Majority of the clubs backing Weah's
candidacy have advised him to lobby with them for an extra-ordinary
Congress that would advocate for the elimination of the two-year
clause, but the former Lone Star skipper said he would not buy his
way to the LFA presidency.
The elections are expected to come on in 2005,
with the incumbent LFA president Izetta Wesley believed to still be
interested in the job. The likes of Pennoh W. Bestman, President
Black Stars, Wynston Doe, Alliance FC president, and Gus Shakespeare
Doe-Williams are reported to
be threading the same path with Weah.
Bestman and Doe are interested in becoming Vice
President for Administration and Operations respectively, while
Williams is eyeing the Secretary-General post. |
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