“Yes, We
Can!”
Lone Star Mobilization Campaign Team Vows to Raise US$2m
Chairman of Lone Star Mobilization Committee,
Prof. Dew Tuah-Wleh Mayson
By: Leroy M. Sonpon, III
The chairman of Lone Star Mobilization Committee, Prof. Dew
Tuah-Wleh Mayson, has assured Liberians in and out of the
country of strategizing to raise US$2m, to support the
participation of the senion national football team, Lone
Star, in the elimination phases of the 2012 African Cup of
Nations and the London Olympics Games.
Quoting the popular campaign slogan of US President Barrack
Obama, (Yes, We Can!), Prof. Mayson in his thunderous and
blissful remarks, stated “Yes, We Can!” during the program
marking the official launch of the Lone Star Mobilization
Committee on Saturday, August 21, 2010, at the Monrovia City
Hall.
He indicated that the US$2m can be raised from the pockets
of every meaningful Liberian as well as foreigner for
Liberia to experience a “success story.”
On behalf of the 20-man Lone Star Mobilization Committee,
Prof. Mayson, pledged US$200,000 to support the US$2m
budget, while the General Manager of the Lone Star
Communication Corporation has pledged an ‘undisclosed’
amount to support the budget “deeply.”
BHP Billiton, a mining company operating in the West of the
country and Mr. T. Nelson Williams of the Liberia Petroleum
Refining Company (LPRC) pledged US$70,000 and US$10,000,
respectively.
Corporate entities that also pledged their supports to the
Committee’s US2m budget include ArcelorMittal, the United
Bank of Africa (UBA), Guaranty Trust Bank, Global Bank, and
China Union.
Others are the National Investment Commission (NIC), the
Bureau of Maritime Affairs, the National Social Security and
Welfare Corporation (NASSCORP) and Srimex Enterprise,
amongst others.
Senate Pro-Tempore Cletus Wortoson promised to lobby for a
budgetary increment of the Lone Star football teams'
participation in the two international events, while Youth
and Sports Minister Etmonia David-Tarpeh committed the
Ministry’s support for all football teams, including the
Lone Star.
The 20-man Lone Star Mobilization Committee, is co-chair by
Bureau of Maritime Affairs boss, Binyah Kesselly.
Other members include Lands, Mines and Energy Minister, Dr.
Eugene Shannon, Careyburg Commissioner Benoni Urey, private
entrepreneur Willie Knuckles, the president of the World
Lebanese Culture Union (WLCU) of Liberia, Ezzat N. Eid,
Grand Bassa Superintendent Julia Ducan Cassell, the
president of the National Oil Company, Dr. Fodee Kromah and
LPRC Managing Director T. Nelson Williams, Representative
Edwin Snowe, amongst others.
The Prof. Mayson Lone Star Mobilization Committee is charged
with the responsibilities to raise funds for the
participation of Coach Bertalan Bicskei's Lone Star’s joint
qualifiers of the 2012 African Cup of Nation and the London
2012 Olympics Games.
Football pundits believed that the launching of the Lone
Star Mobilization Committee's US$2m budget and the calling
of all Liberians of partners to support the budget is a good
footing for the successful participation of the national
team.
The pundits are also urging the Momolu V.O. Sirleaf's
Publicity Committee to embark on the campaign of encouraging
Liberians and foreigners to support the US$2m budget as well
as building the momentum for all Liberia's games, home or
away.
According to the 2012 African Cup of Nations' qualifier
fixture, Liberia is in Group A alongside Mali, Zimbabwe and
Cape Verde. Liberia will play her first game at home against
Zimbabwe on Sunday, September 5, 2010.
On Sunday, October 10, 2010, Liberia will engage the Mali in
Bamako, Mali and lock horns with Cape Verde on Sunday, March
27, 2011, in Praia, Cape Verde.
On Sunday or Monday June 5 or 6, 2011, Liberia will play at
home against Cape Verde and meet Zimbabwe on Sunday,
September 4, 2011 in Harare, Zimbabwe and played their final
match at home against Mali on Saturday or Sunday October 8
or 9, 2011.
