Liberia Risks Losing Promising Stars
-Lack Of Head Coach, Reluctance From Sports Officials Cited

                            Alex Nimely-Tchuimeni

By D. Webster Cassell

The lack of proper programs and reluctance from the Ministry of Youth & Sports (MYS) to allow youthful Liberian players accelerate on the continent remains a major challenge for the development of football in the country.

Unlike, Nigeria and Ghana, Liberia has emerged as one of the most recent African countries that has at least one talented and promising young player in almost every league played around the world although the country’s sports Ministry is still adamant in designing programs that will actually facilitate the growth and recognition of those talents.

At the moment, the country risks losing most of its upcoming and watchful young players currently playing in accordance to their careers in other parts of the world only.

It is speculated that it is in that trend because the Liberian Government is yet to institute mechanism that would sell their talents by appointing a head coach that would supervise the affairs of the players.

The failure of the national team to produce impressive form during the last qualifiers surfaced as another concrete reason for which promising Liberian players have been coerced to find another nationality.

According to information reaching our sports desk, some young Liberian players playing abroad have decided to naturalize abroad due to what they refer to as "Government Not Ready For Sports."

The information claimed that the players are actually getting out of patience after watching other countries craft a plan for a more developmental system that would guide their young and promising talents on the continent and in other parts of the world.

Our information also claimed that the players have attributed a number of football struggles that existed between the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MYS) and the Liberia Football Association (LFA) as another impediment which emerges from those in authority and which has not enhanced and encouraged an adequate football program in the country. The information also claimed that if the current compositions of sports officials at the MYS and FA still remain in position for the next three years; then, the country stands to lose a great breed of talented and promising football generation.

In addition, the players noted that those currently holding football positions in the country have actually caused a serious setback for the upcoming generation, stressing that they might dash President Sirleaf’s wish that Liberia attend the 2014 World Cup.

Meanwhile, Liberian players who are currently seeking to grip international contracts have hinted that they might naturalize in other countries to get career advancement.

Though the legs of George Weah, James Debbah and rest were tempted to naturalize in other European countries, the players were compelled to return home considering the numerous support they received from the national government.

Despite the many pursuits from European countries, the players had their nationality as a pride African. Today, the last scenario is a complete opposite considering the lack of attention given the order of the national team of Liberia.

Will Liberia ever regain its international standing in the world of football? One player that has already shifted his allegiance to another country is Collins John.

John is a Liberian born international striker. He was born in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County on October 17, 1985, but his family migrated to the Netherlands after the murder of his father during the Liberian Civil War. Currently he is a naturalized Dutch football player.

Another player is Alex Nimely-Tchuimeni who has already featured for England U-20 football team. Nimely, commonly called “Adebayor” featured for the Liberia youth team between 2001- 2006. He made 11 appearances and scored 15 goals. On May12, 2008 he rejected a call from the Liberia National Senior team for the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and later declared to the media that he chose to play for England.

The promising Liberian born striker moved to Manchester City in 2008 where he signed a four-year deal. He moved from Cameroon where he played for Cotonsports Garoua before being adopted by his English father, Davy Tchuimeni, a former athlete for Dawson College in Canada. Sakou Jabateh-Oliseh is another fine and talented player Liberia will have to miss for good.