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- Bedell Advises Liberian Players
Bedell speaking to CRTV at the Game in Cameroon
Sports Analyst Wleh Bedell has told his fellow countrymen at the
Buduburam refugee camp in Ghana to return home and contribute to
their country’s football program that is on its way to recovery.
Speaking at a football forum organized by Buduburam soccer
enthusiasts on the Theme “Liberian football the way forward”, Mr.
Bedell told the gathering that amidst the numerous problems
affecting the game at home, it will be prudent if players,
administrators, tacticians as well sports medics were to return home
and contribute towards the growth of the country’s game.
“Though there might be a lot of problems in the game at home, it
will be a wise decision were all of you to return home with your
wealth of experience gathered over the years as far as the
development of the game is concerned.”
Mr. Bedell who is very optimistic of Liberian football advised that
it will be suicidal if everyone were to sit back and watch Liberian
football decline at the time the rest of the continent is making
tremendous progress.
“If you’re a player, I want to encourage you to return home and
resurrect your career through the national league by being attached
to any of the promising clubs that are springing up in the country”.
He assured them that though their aim was to seek greener pasture
and things are not working at the moment, they can still make amends
by restarting as their shortcomings is not the end of the world.
“Those of you who are tacticians, administrators and sports medics,
I also want to encourage you to return home and join the rebuilding
process of Liberian football as your expertise is highly needed to
ensure the smooth running of the game.”
Mr. Bedell was in Cameroon, Nigeria, Togo and Benin and had the
opportunity to watch the Cameroon – Liberia match at the Amadou
Ahidjo Stadium in the CAN 2008 Qualifiers also had serious talks
with top football officials and clubs in all the countries he had
visited all in the interest of promoting Liberian talents.
After the Cameroon-Liberia match, Bedell was unequivocal on CRTV on
the level of display Liberia had produced, and gave an expert
opinion on the return leg and the players that were missing in the
Liberian line-up, something that has lit fear in the Cameroonian
sporting public.
He is regarded as a mentor for several players considering his deep
insight in Liberian football. He held talks with Cameroonian legends
Theophilus Abega and Thomas Nkono and was guest of Union Douala
President Michel Kandem as well as the President of Tonnerre Klara
Club, Essombo Eyonga.
While in Nigeria, Mr. Bedell had the honor of watching a crucial FA
Cup match between Premiership side Julius Berger and a lower league
side Olofowin at the momentous Surelere Sports Stadium in Lagos
where he met ex-Super Eagles intentional goalkeeper and current
goalkeeper trainer, Ike Shorumu.
In Ghana, Mr. Bedell also had the distinguished honor in lending his
view on the infamous match-fixing scandal that involved Ghana’s
Legend Abedi Ayew Pele, his club Nania FC and three others – Tudu
Mighty Jet, Soccer Mariners and Okwahu United, which were all
relegated into the 3rd tier of Ghanaian soccer.
Bedell told a seasoned Ghanaian radio journalist that the scandal
has marred Ghana image especially Abedi Pele who many African
players idolize.
His stop-over in Ghana was seen as an opening to give a synopsis on
the current state of Liberian football and whether it was expedient
for them to return home.
Some of the players who had listened to Mr. Bedell felt relieved and
have already started returning home. Former Ducor Defender winger,
Prince Tamba, who had been at Buduburam for over five months after a
disappointing sojourn in Indonesia, was the first to return.
Tamba a nimble-witted youngster said: “Bedell advice is a real
guarantee and also the real picture of what is obtaining in Liberian
football, therefore, I am taking this chance to revamp my career”.
Another highly gifted midfielder, Roberto Roberts, formerly of Roza
FC Monrovia, had spent the last two years in Ghana following a
terrible stay in South Africa where he was linked with then
premiership side Manning Rangers. He also relished the kind words of
Mr. Bedell and has set his head on the Liberian top flight when he
returns in a forth night.
Many people reckon Bedell coming to Buduburam as football-evangelism
that is winning football soul back home as other handlers of the
game are massively preparing to return home.
One-time Lone Star and IE tricky midfielder Bokolo Chea who had had
brief stint with Ghana Premier side Liberty Professionals and a
brief spell in Singapore and Oman has disclosed his intention of
returning home. Theo-drick Winter formerly of Barrack Young
Controllers (BYC) and Etoile Filante of Togo has been won in
returning to his mother land.
Former Omani-based Abraham Karmo who last featured for LPRC-Oilers
in Liberia and Durban Star in South Africa is preparing for a second
coming alongside other younger players who had left their lower
league clubs for the sub-region will be returning as well.
Mr. Bedell, in his concluding statement put forth a logical counsel:
“A successful man will profit from his mistakes and try again in a
different way”.
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