I Will
Not Buy LFA Presidency - Weah Declares
The NEWS (Monrovia)
May 5, 2004
Monrovia
Since Liberia's soccer Icon, Ambassador George Weah declared his
intention for the Presidency of the Liberia Football Association (LFA),
the main argument around town has been, whether he has ever served
as President of a club, a major criterion for that post.
But Weah told a meeting of heads of premier, first and second
division clubs on Tuesday that he is qualified to head the LFA and
will pay no money for the post next year. "I am qualified because I
served as Vice President for International Affairs at the LFA," Weah,
the former World Best Soccer Player of The Year said. "I don't want
to buy the FA, but sports need to be developed in this country", he
added. Mr. Weah, who is also a former captain of the Nation's soccer
team, explained that he wants to head the LFA to respond to numerous
claims around by Liberians that the domestic league is not good. The
Liberian Sports Ambassador said it would be sad for him to sit and
see soccer go down the drain in the country. Notwithstanding, the
soccer icon said he holds the view that his dream cannot become a
reality without the collaborative efforts of the clubs that are
supposed to be the major decision-makers as far as football was
concerned.
"Only you can help... You and myself can sit and work together for
the development of football. There is a need to discuss this issue
because I want to take the FA to another step The ball is in your
court," Weah told the soccer clubs. The President of premier club
side, Black Star, Pennoh Bestman observed that most of the clubs
operate at a loss, apparently due to low attendance at games. He
said, " we get no benefit from what we spend." Mr. Bestman said he
believes that the future of Liberian players is bleak because of
lack of programs and low earnings by clubs, stressing, "this is why
we cannot send players out." He emphasized the need to have a soccer
academy that would help prepare Liberian players for top-flight
football. "The clubs must benefit from the games and programs must
be set up to make our league competitive, Bestman said. To Weah,
Bestman said, "we look up to you to open the door for us because you
know people out there."
Speaking on behalf of female clubs, former lawmakers David Kortie
told Mr. Weah that the football program was facing serious problem,
including female clubs. As a result of the terrible football
program, Mr. Kortie said, "the female teams have been reduced from
13 to 7 due to financial problems." In a brief statement, the owner
of second division side, Karn United, Samuel Karn said the league in
Liberia is the poorest in terms of quality and attendance. "We have
to be very serious if we decide to build up sports," Karn said. Mr.
Josiah N. Johnson, Vice President of Mighty Barrolle Sports
Association said Weah has seen the downward trend of soccer, and
that he has met the criteria to become the FA President today or
tomorrow. He challenged the clubs to repeal any act that tends to
retard the growth of soccer. "If we sit down and lose such an
opportunity, then we better close football down," Mr. Johnson, one
of Liberia's popular football technicians said. Alliance FC
President Wynston Doe told the Presidents and Executivesof the
various clubs to take advantage of the opportunity by ensuring that
Weah be elected to the FA Presidency. He said "this is a glorious
opportunity we must make use of."
Although Weah claims to be qualified, Andy Quamie advised that the
former prodigy seek the signatures of the clubs in holding an extra
ordinary congress. Responding, Weah said, "it is left with you the
Presidents to do what you want me to do. I am not going to buy
anybody to be LFA President."
|
Please Click our Sponsors
Links to support the site
|
