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JNJ Wants Intl. Matches
Scheduled On Sunday -Sends Out Appeal for Reconsideration
JNJ and Son (
Dulee Johnson)
October 9, 2002
Siebo D. Williams
Monrovia
The former Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports,
Josiah N. Johnson, alias JNJ says Liberia international matches should be
scheduled on Sunday and not Saturday as was proposed by some religious
leaders.
In a chat with this paper on Monday, JNJ said
football is for recreational purposes and is not sinful. He stated that
further Italy where they have the holy city of Vatican, football is played
on Sunday. He also said Israel, the most holy country of the world plays
football on Sunday.
Commenting further, JNJ said he sees no reason
why would people think that playing on Sunday will not give us the needed
results, when God himself said the seven day shall be a rest day. "Most
Liberians go to church before going on the football field, so why should
people think that Sunday matches usually rob the churches of their members
during international matches.
JNJ, who also served as coach of the Lone Star,
warned that the hosting of international matches on Saturday will rob sports
authorities of the avenue of generating funds needed to pay game expenses.
"Saturday is the last day most Liberians get out to fetch for their families
to end the week. If international games are played on Saturday, I am afraid
that there would not be enough people attending the games."
Another scenario that comes into play is
that other Christians go to church on Saturday. While is it that these
religious leader want the games to be played since in fact that they say the
game rob the churches of their members on Sunday. "They would have just
called for the games to be played on Friday since indeed is not a church day
in Liberia".
Concluding, JNJ reiterated that playing football on
Sunday is not sinful despite being a Sabbath Day. He said the North Africans
also play on their Sabbath Day which is Friday.
He then called on those concerned to find a remedy for the
games to be played on Sunday as it has been since Liberia started
participating in international games.
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