Government Frustrates Murphy?

Liberia senior national football team captain, Murphy Komonple Nagbe claimed the government of Liberia through the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MYS) has frustrated him by refusing to continue salary promised him until he gets well after he broke his foot on national engagement against Senegal on June 21, 2008.

The soft spoken defender also alleged that the MYS has refused to reimburse him US$2,900.00 he paid to remove the last irons from his broken foot for the second time at the principle Hospital of Dakar in Senegal.

He claimed that the MYS instead only paid US$400.00 out of the said amount.

In a press conference held at the headquarters of the Sports Writers Association of Liberia (SWAL) in Press Union building on Clay Street in Monrovia, Captain Murphy told reporters that the government of Liberia through the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MYS) issued him letter stating that the sports Ministry could only help him with last payment of US$500.00 towards his broken foot.

“The MYS has not lived up to the numerous promises since I broke my foot more than one year ago.

The MYS promised to pay me US$1,500.00 until I get well, but the last time I took salary was in May of this year.

“The Ministry has also refused to reimburse me US$2900.00 I paid to remove the last irons from my broken foot for the second time at the principle Hospital of Dakar in Senegal. I was only paid US$400.00 out of the US$2900.00 with a balance of US$2,500.00 which I am yet to get.

‘I have done all I can and I have pleaded with the government through the MYS, but matter continues to get worse,” the frustrated Lone Star Captain noted.

In an interview with the Minister of Youth and Sports Madam Etmonia David Tarpeh, she noted that the Sports Ministry was not aware of Murphy’s trip to Dakar, Senegal to remove irons from his broken foot for the second time.

Minister Tarpeh noted that upon Murphy’s return, he confronted the MYS about reimbursement of US$2900.00, but the Minister noted that the Lone Star skipper submitted conflicting bills which the Ministry could not honor.

As for salary, Minister Tarpeh noted she would consult the financial section of the MYS whether Murphy’s salary was clear.

Below is the full letter given Murphy dated October 30, 2009 regarding final payment toward his calamity.

The letter reads “The Ministry of Youth and Sports again express regrets of the incident that occurred when you represented your country, Liberia in which your foot got broken and the understanding you exhibited during your illness.

“In its effort to ensure that you are catered to, the Ministry tried in a very little way and spent about USD25, 000.00 (Twenty Five Thousand United States Dollars) for your recovery.

The Ministry is fully aware, that your contribution to your country can not be quantified into monetary terms, but the gesture was done to show the Ministry’s appreciation to you.

“The Ministry likes to make the final payment today of USD 500.00 (Five Hundred United States Dollars) to you and wish you God’s blessings. I take this time to thank you and your family, on behalf of the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Government of the Republic of Liberia for your contribution toward football and hope that this ugly situation will not befall you again in your sojourn,” the letter signed by MYS Deputy Minister concluded.

Investigation continues. More to come