October 7, 2002

       Smile Africa International is commending the former Technical Director of the Lone Star, Ambassador George Manneh Weah, for his recent decision to apologize to the Chief Patron of Sports, President Charles Ghankay Taylor.

      According to the President of Smile Africa International, Angel-Face Lionel Johnson, only wise men change, and as such, the Chief Patron of Sports and the people of Liberia should be willing to forgive Ambassador Weah as he strives to keep the nation on the world soccer map.

     In a release issued over the weekend, Mr. Johnson said Weah’s apology is timely. “Weah needs to be applauded and given his flowers while he is still alive in recognition of his immense contributions towards the development and growth of football in Liberia,” Johnson maintained.

     Recounting Ambassador Weah’s numerous contributions towards soccer, Angel-Face Johnson said on several occasions, the former Lone Star technical Director rescued the nation’s flag bearer (the Lone Star) from being dropped from vital international competitions.

    “Ambassador Weah is a human and can err just like other great men and women,” Johnson said, adding, the people of Liberia need to soberly reflect on the good days and contributions of Ambassador Weah.

     Meanwhile, Smile Africa International is appealing to the Government of Liberia, especially the Liberia Football Association (LFA) to make maximum use of Ambassador Weah’s expertise for the good of football in Liberia.

    In a related development, Liberians from all walks of life have hailed the return of the Liberian sports ambassador following his long absence from the national team.

      Views sampled over the weekend and today reflect unanimous concurrence with Weah’s decision to apologize personally to President Charles Ghankay Taylor, the chief patron of Liberian sports.

    “Weah is a great man, and he will be respected even more for apologizing to President Taylor,” says Ophelia George, a die-hard Weah fanatic. She said Weah, as a wise man, took the right decision to return home and contribute to the nation’s sports program.

    Following Liberia’s early exit from the 2002 African Nations Cup in Mali, Ambassador Weah called it quits on the national team. Weah was to later claim that he was a wanted man in his homeland and that his properties were being “repossessed” by government.

    Throughout the entire episode, the Liberian leader constantly maintained that he harbors no malice against any of the national team players or any Liberian for that matter. President Taylor repeatedly called on Ambassador Weah to return home and contribute his quota to the development of Liberian soccer.

     Weah’s return to the fold comes at a crucial time that Liberia is to shortly engage the Nigerienne national team in continuation of the 2004 African Nations Cup qualifiers.

    Books makers are reportedly betting their chips on the Lone Star. Many believe the presence of Weah will serve as a major bolster for the national soccer team.