As Father of the Nation:
I Bear No Hatred Against Weah, Others
-Says President Taylor; Urges Them to Come Home
By Siebo Williams
The NEWS Newspaper
The Chief Patron of
Sports, President Charles Taylor, has disclosed that he bears no hatred for
the old players of the national football team, the Lone Star, including
George Weah and others.
He made the statement when he hosted
players of the reconstructed Lone Star while on their way to Guinea to honor
their ‘2004 African Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Giving his farewell message to the players
before they departed for Guinea, Chief Patron Taylor pointed out that as
father of the nation, he wanted to get few things clear to the Liberian
people. He said under these very strenuous conditions, whenever they
go into the country’s coffers and take money out, it means the Government
wants to see the country’s flag and the players go.“And so, when you lose,
there must naturally be some kind of drawbacks. It is not hatred; I want you
to understand this,” the chief patron told the players.
Commenting further he stated, “So as father
of the Nation and to even those players that are not here, even those old
players from George Weah to all of them, as father of the nation, I bear no
hatred against them. This is their home and country, they are welcome here.
In fact, I have no bad bush to throw any Liberian because God did not put me
here to look at an individual or small groups and begin to hate it or
something. As the father, I will love everyone. I deserve my respect and
will give every human in this country his or her respect.”
“The Bible says give what is Caesar that which is Caesar’s
and give to God that which is God’s,” he added. Concluding, Chief Patron
Taylor said he was sharing the spirit of love with everyone, including those
on the reconstructed Lone Star. He said it was the beginning and he wants
the players to strive hard in the qualifiers.
Meanwhile President Taylor said he wants to see
at least five of the current batch of Lone Star players as future talents.
He said there is no room for jealousy and envy, adding, “I am President. I
am doing my own, so whatever you can do for the country do it to your best”.
It can be recalled that following Lone Star’s
dismal performance at the 2002 Nations Cup Finals, Lone Star former
Technical Director George Weah announced his retirement and also alleged
that some individuals wanted to take his life. Weah also alleged that people
were jealous of him. That statement did not go down well with Liberians, and
the Government even expressed concerns as to who wanted to take away Weah’s
life. Since that time, things have not been rosy between Weah and football
authorities.
Of late, Weah has been making statements to the
international media that he won’t come back to Liberia to work with football
authorities until the current batch of officials leave office. On the other
hand, some Liberians have called for reconciliation meeting between Weah and
those he perceived as his opponents.
The recent statement from the Chief Patron that he
bears no hatred against Weah and any other player, and that they are welcome
home has calmed the storm. |
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