As Ethiopia Match Draws Nearer:
JNJ, Kadalah Call For Early Preparation
-As Coach Kromah Wants Salary Paid, Or...
Josiah Johnson ( JNJ) Former National
Team Coach
By Siebo D. Williams
February
25, 2003
As the date for the 2004 Nations’ Cup qualifier match
draws nearer, the technical manager of the National football team, the
Lone Star, Kadalah Kromah and former Lone Star coach, Josiah N.
Johnson, are calling for early preparation to ensure that the team
performs in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The two football technicians made the assertion on
Radio Veritas weekend Sports Program, Sports Line. Speaking
separately, coach Kromah said it was very necessary for the local team
to start training now to ensure cohesiveness. “The weather in Ethiopia
is above sea level, something we have to acclimatize to by training
somewhere with similar conditions. But it seems there are people who
are in the driver’s seat who do not have interest in sports. We have
to put the right people in the right places if we must go somewhere,”
coach Kromah said.
He said it was good for the home base players to start
training since there is no money in most instances to recall the
number of foreign-based players that are selected." It is sad to be on
air mentioning that Africa's oldest country is the only country that
does not play test matches and prepare ahead of time for international
games.”
Commenting further, the Lone Star coach said since taking over
leadership of the technical staff, he and his staff are yet to receive
a penny as salary. “If at least four months of our salary are not
paid, we will not begin training. We know that training is necessary,
but we need some of our salary. We are the only coaches in the world
that are not being paid,” he said.
He urged sports authorities to do something about
the ugly situation, because sports is the only thing that's not
sanctioned and it should be supported. For his part, JNJ also stressed
early preparation and called on the LFA and MYS to take some money
from the Television rights recently received from the Mali Games so
that the team can begin preparation.
He said though he was not disqualifying those in
authority now, but he pointed that they are a little bit slow in their
action. “They don’t move, and create enthusiasm. Football is a game of
speed. The administrators must be active just like the players on the
field. Nobody must stand as there is a need formability in the
office,” he noted.
He then appealed to the Finance Ministry to
liaise with the LFA and MYS to secure PTAs for foreign-based players
instead of waiting to reimburse players air tickets, something he said
is cheaper.
He said the local players are the foundation of
any national team. He said the professional players are only invited
to beef up loop holes. The Lone Star is expected to take on Ethiopia
in Addis Ababa in March in continuation of the 2004Nations’ Cup
qualifiers.
Lone Star is placed in a group that comprises Guinea,
Niger and Ethiopia. Liberia must pull at least a draw in Addis Ababa
to keep her campaign on course.
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| “If at least four months
of our salary are not paid, we will not begin training."
Coach Kromah |
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