Uncertainty
Looms Over Lone Star, Ethiopia Match?
-As "No Money Syndrome" Speculation
Unfolds -But Local Team Intensifies Training
The Ethiopian team which defeated Guinea 1-0
in Addis
March 7, 2003
Siebo D. Williams
Monrovia
There are speculations in sporting circles
that the 2004 African Cup of Nations' qualifiers for Liberia's Lone
Star is likely to come to an end due to the "no money syndrome" that
has engulfed Liberia sporting programs for years.
Latest reports reaching our sports desk
have it that the Chief Patron of Sports, President Charles Taylor, may
not be in the position to provide funds for the Lone Star to travel to
Ethiopia to honor the qualifiers due to the numerous problems he has
on hands, like the on going rebel war, coupled with the United
Nations' imposed sanctions.
This paper learned that President Taylor is
bitter about the manner in which funds received as television rights
from the last Nations Cup finals was disbursed. It is learned that the
Ministry of Youth and Sports requested the Liberia Football
Association (LFA) to give it US$10,000, as well as do likewise for the
Ministry of Finance from the US$58,000 received from CAF.
It is said that President Taylor wants the
Sports Ministry and Finance Ministry resuscitate the money before he
can give the order for disbursement of funds from the budget submitted
for the Lone Star/Ethiopia match.
From reports gathered, the Sports
Ministry is said to have expended the US$10,000 it requested from the
television rights, while the check for the Finance Ministry's share
has not been given.
As far as the LFA is concerned, the report
added, the Football House acted on instructions from the Sports
Ministry and is prepared at any time to make available the balance
money which is still in its account for the Lone Star since indeed it
was for that purpose it was sent by CAF.
In fact it is from the balance US$38,000
that the LFA has taken funds for the Lone Star to begin training for
the Ethiopia match. This paper also learned that it was from the same
US$38,000 that some funds were given the Lone Star technical staff as
their wages.
With this revelation, it is still not known
whether the Chief Patron of Sports will instruct the Finance Ministry
to disburse funds for the Ethiopia match.
From all indications, it is clear that the
Football House, as manager of the Lone Star, still has what was left
after the Sports Ministry's instruction was carried out.
It can be recalled some time ago that the Finance
Ministry reportedly wrote the Sports Ministry informing it that there
were no money for the Lone Star to continue its campaign for the 2004
Nations' Cup finals.
The Chief Patron of Sports President Taylor also
assured the Liberian people that Lone Star will participate in the
qualifiers. He said "even if it cost going from door to door to ask
for five dollars we will do so".
Observers believe that President Taylor has
the final decision as far as making funds available for the Lone Star.
"He knows that the Lone Star brings happiness to Liberians, so we are
confident that President Taylor will do something for the team to go
to Ethiopia," an observer noted.
Meanwhile, the local players have
intensified their training sessions for the match. During our visit at
the ATS, the players were engaged in endurance, speed and shooting
drills.
Speaking briefly with our reporter, coach Kadalah
Kromah said just in five days, the players have picked up form and
responding to training well.
He said the only change is that they
will be going to the SKD Sports Complex to train on natural grass
instead of the artificial turf at the ATS.
He also said that the cream of the team will be centered
around the local-based players.
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