LNOC
Ready For Olympic Village
By Julu M. Johnson, Jr.
The Liberia National Olympic Committee (LNOC) has at long last given
birth to an Olympic Village in the country.
Under the Olympique Afrique Project for Liberia, the Olympic Village
is expected to be constructed in the Queens Village, Soul Clinic
Community in Paynesville.
As part of efforts to construct the Olympic Village in Liberia, the
LNOC, headed by Philibert S. Browne, hired a large number of the
residents of the area where the large sporting complex would be built.
At the end of the two-day clean-up exercise that was characterized by
cutting of grass and bush at the site, LNOC President Browne explained
the essence of the entire exercise to dwellers of the area.
He informed them that the ten acres complex would comprise a football
field, two basketball courts, lawn tennis court and a track around the
football pitch.
According to the LNOC President, the Olympic Village would also
include a multi-purpose gymnasium which, he disclosed, would
accommodate table tennis, boxing, taekwondo as well as major programs.
He believes that the construction of the Olympic Village would not
become a reality without the inclusion of the community dwellers.
“We fought to secure the fundings of this land and we need your help
as we build this Olympic Village.
“We will bring food and working materials while you will give us the
manpower,” Mr. Browne told the large crowd.
At the end of the construction, the LNOC President promised that some
of the residents would be trained as securities and caretakers at the
Olympic Village.
On behalf of the community, Mr. D. Roosevelt Kortie described the
project as a good thing by the LNOC leadership.
He then requested that the LNOC assist the area with the construction
of a junior high school, clinic and good road.
He stated that an eleven-man team has been selected to work along with
the LNOC.
Responding, the LNOC President advised that the residents do an
official communication to his organization as per the request.
The ceremony was attended and witnessed by several dignitaries in the
sporting arena. Among them were the LNOC Vice President for Technical
Affairs, Charles Cumming, Joseph F. Willie, Secretary-General of the
LNOC, Miss Gbour Wilson, President of the Liberia Basketball
Federation, and S. Ahmed Tukpah, President of the Liberia National
Swimming Federation. |
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