EDITORIAL
Liberians Unifying Through Soccer
In a bid to "help the organizations back home", the USA-based Union of
Barrolle and IE over the weekend hosted a one-day soccer tournament in
commemoration of the Independence Anniversary of Africa's oldest republic,
Liberia. In that game, the nation's darling club, Invincible Eleven,
overpowered age-old archrival Mighty Barrolle 3-2 in the township of Union,
New Jersey, before a capacity crowd.
The victory secured a tie for IE, having suffered 3-2 at the hands of the
Gbezohn 'Rollers during similar tournament held in Baltimore, Maryland, in
celebration of America's July 4th Independence.
Liberia International soccer star George Oppong led his former club's
onslaught, hammering in two of IE's three goals. The game featured old-time
greats like Simeon Mattar, Aaron Pobleh, Malcolm Cephas, Anthony Togba,
Timothy Bangue, Jonah Sarwieh, Francis Manneh, Doko, Barclay, and others for
IE. Mighty Barrolle's impressive lineup included Frank Seaton, Patrick Saar,
Solomon Joe, Henry Brown, Stanley Phillip, Dominic Brapoh, among others.
The tiebreaker takes place in Providence, Rhode Island, on August 31, 2002
during Labor Day celebrations.
A release from the Publicity Chairman of the Union of Barrolle and IE, Mr.
Sam Van Kesselly, quotes the Event Steering Committee Chairman, Mr. Morris
George, as saying, "the game was a resounding success".
For us at LiberianSoccer.com, we are more than overjoyed to see our
countrymen coming together to support a worthy cause. In times like these
when the fate of our common patrimony seems uncertain, it is heartwarming to
see brothers and sisters forgetting their individual sentiments and
differences, if even for one day, to meet at a common ground through sports.
Certainly, the local clubs back home will greatly appreciate whatever
support their brothers in the Diaspora can render.
Verily, soccer-- our national pastime, has always been a torchbearer for
peace in Liberia's recent troubled history. We can recall how during the
heat of our civil war, Liberians from various warring factions used to cast
aside their war garments and accessories to converge in Monrovia and root
for the nation's flag bearers, the Lone Star. In fact, during those days,
the only good thing that came out of Africa's oldest republic was "King
George Weah".
Today, however, the King is getting old for the fray. By his own admission,
at age 36, the magic has mellowed, and the dazzling runs have simmered to
will-o-wisps spurts of brilliance. But ah! the world-class experience! Weah
will carry that to his grave. This is all the reason why Liberian soccer
will never be the same if Oppong turns his back on the game.
We are not saying that Weah should lobby for the coach slot that is being
advertised by the Liberia Football Association (LFA). Neither do we imply
that Mr. Weah should run for presidency of the FA. But the challenges for
improving our national soccer program are so vast. It is time for our soccer
youth development program to rise from dormancy. Look at the first time our
kids took part in a world class Under-13 tournament. They snatched all the
trophies at Guttenberg!
So why can't we establish a FOOTBALL ACADEMY to groom the budding talents
that are dying to be nurtured at Walker Football Field on Broad Street and
other alleyways in Monrovia? This is a long-term investment that Sports
Ambassador Weah, other Liberian professionals and the Union of Barrolle and
IE could undertake in the not-too-distant future. It's certainly worth a
try.
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