PROLA Backs IE’s Ascendancy

By Julu M. Johnson, Jr.

The Promoters Of Liberian Athletes (PROLA) has defended the promotion of Invincible Eleven (IE) from the first to the premier division.
Following criticisms of the way IE was promoted, the PROLA President Joseph H. Farkollie welcomed the move because he thinks it would adequately prepare local clubs and players for the challenges out there.

He argued if the clubs are many in a single division, then players named for the national team would be in the position to perform what is expected of them.

With the second division carrying the highest number of teams, the PROLA President sees this category as the best due to the quantity.

Apart from calling for the increment of clubs in the various divisions, Mr. Farkollie wants the Liberia Football Association (LFA) to organize a number of competitions not limited to the league and knockout championships.

He pointed out that the limited games do not prepare the teams well to face their opponents in international competitions.

Mr. Farkollie admonished the LFA Technical Committee to even add more teams instead of the twelve to that of sixteen.

For his part, the Vice President of PROLA, Jerron Cole Bangalu says it is necessary to have numerous teams to give room for plenty games as is the case elsewhere.

Mr. Bangalu argued that this would restore the enthusiasm that existed in the past.

He said that increasing the teams would be necessary for teams to be tested for foreign encounters.

“The more they play, the more the exposure. We want to commend LFA for the decision because we want to see able athletes.”

Mr. Bangalu admitted that he is eager to see the rivalry of the past that existed among the likes of IE, Barrolle, LPRC Oilers and NPA Anchors.
“Instead of seeing players going to countries like Indonesia, we want to see our players in places like Spain, Italy, France and England.”

He concluded by lauding the LFA for taking the decision of increasing the teams in the Premier League.