MOCKERY!
Editorial
Liberian football is certainly disorganized, as the development of
the game in this part of the world is far from reality. The Football
House has reportedly gone bankrupt and is virtually in the queue
seeking loan from ECOBANK.
The various leagues, Premier, First, Second, Third and Fourth
Division lack the glamour and attraction associated with
contemporary football.
The various national teams are seemingly in exigent, players ply
their trades under acrimonious circumstances as most of them are
transferred illegally, courtesy of International Transfer
Certificates (ITC) being sent on the outside in eye brow raising
fashion.
This makes one to wonder as to where is our football heading? with
such an unpalatable state, connoisseurs are perturbed and daunted on
the country's football agenda.
What a paradox that a country that produced the continent's greatest
footballer in the form of the legendary George Oppong Weah has its
football in the doldrums, as it has since left from an ecstatic
state to a mere melancholic one.
There is a serious need for an antidote, as stakeholders pull the
strings to make amends.
But, why there is a serious need to improve things, the awkward and
haphazard arrangement or organization continues.
Quite recently, two virtually unknown-quantities from Israel in the
form of Sahar Greenberg and Barvch Saar reportedly entered the
country as guests of Premiership flop, LISCR FC.
It is being whispered in many quarters that the duo has come to
scout prodigious talents and as well provide rudimentary training ot
technical awareness to the inconsistent Premier club.
The applauds had not gone down when the news broke out that a mini-olympic
amongst various Premier clubs in the country was taking place ,
specifically at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium (ATS) for what the
organizers, LISCR termed "TALENT SCOUTING".
Clubs including LISCR, Invincible Eleven (IE), Watanga, Monrovia
Breweries, Jasmine Rangers, Barrack Young Controllers (BYC), MIghty
Blue Angels ect. ignored the risk involved, and took part in this
mini-competition reminiscent of a school involved with Old and New
students game or calsses league mianly for the purpose of scouting
players.
What was more astonishing was the decision of these clubs officials
order than LISCR (since they invited the un-known duo) to engage in
an unprofessional act in playing charity matches while the national
league is in full swing.
Did they take into account the risk involved in terms of injuries?
did they agree to spend additional cash in terms of transport? did
they know the history or track record of these Israelis who it was
claimed are scouts or agents?, these are just few of the many
questions screaming for answers.
Interestingly, the decision of some of the clubs to feature in such
ludicrous arrangement could open the flood gate where anyone could
come to town (Liberia), from any where claiming to be an agent,
administrator or promoter to make clubs go the extra in the name of
justification. It would have first being expedient had they being
involved in a conference where the sporting populace would have
known their background order than engaging in a rather different
tactic of "keeping it cool".
Also, the arrangement accepted by the Israelis who are reportedly
protracted followers of the beautiful game in allowing premier clubs
wrestle somewhat gainlessly with each other in the name of players
selection, brings to the fore the authenticity of the assertion that
they are truly scouts.
Why would they adhere to such laughable arrangement when in fact
they could have had all the time in the world to select who so ever
they wanted directly by seeing a plethora of national league games
where players will be more focused and purposed as they have
something precious to fight for.
Hurriedly arranging practise matches via mobile phones of their
hosts further questions their claim of being football pundits. The
disadvantage in these hurriedly arranged games is that any one could
go through the needle or catch the eye through a "Flash in the Pan
Performance", and such person could maybe be selected and then
falter in a trial to the disbelief and discontenment of the scouters.
Judging from their action here, one would ask, can some one move to
Israel claiming to be a scout and then ask that the likes of Meccabi
Haifa, Meccabi Herzliya, Meccabi Telaviv, Hapoel Haifa ect. gather
at the Israeli national stadium to play for something like 80
minutes each in the name of scouting their players for probably
contracts to mainland Europe?
If that is too far and extreme for an example, can this happen in
Ghana? Can just two persons arrive from Europe upon the invitation
of Premier club Liberty Professional and then call for the likes of
Asanti Kotoko, Accra Hearts of Oak, Kasbane FC, All Blacks ect. to
assemble at the Ohene Djan Stadium to play a mini-tournament in the
name of taking or scouting players for oversea football while the
Ghanaian top flight is on?
Can this happen in Nigeria where the likes of Kano Pillars, Enyimba,
Enugu Rangers, Dolphins ect. are and then some people just ask that
they assemble at the Surelere Stadium in Lagos on emorning to
justify? This is a question for any one.
Why the idea of players promotion are commendable, it is indeed
advisable that such arrangement be done in a more proficient and
professional as is done in other parts of the world. Our players or
clubs should not be left vulnerable in the name of getting to
Europe.
When these ratifications are made, we will be threading on a good
path in terms of improving our game.
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