Too bad Liberia has to withdraw from two prestigious soccer tournaments due to what the Ministry of Youth and Sports has described as high financial overlays that are associated with them. First the Under-20 and second the Under-18 soccer teams.

Truly, the budgeted amount of US82,235.00 for competing in one of the tournaments at this time of national crisis, makes sense for the nation to withdraw. However, it may appear that while the 'high overlay' that is the money needed for the tournament is high, the minister may not have considered the over all benefit to the country  in these times of national tragedy of hopelessness and damnation.

It is a well  known fact that Liberians take their soccer seriously.  Take for instance, when the Senegalese Lions shocked the former World Cup defending champions, France in their opening match at the Japan/Korea 2002' Liberians took to the streets of Monrovia in jubilation. That victory elated their degraded spirits and gave them many things to discuss.

In another instance, when Liberian warring factions were at each other's throat and ULIMO-K joined with ULIMO-J on one side and the INPFL and NPFL were at the other end in their destructive battles across the nation, it was only George Weah's Lone Star that kept the nation united. It was George Weah's Lone Star because he (Weah) was prepared to come out with the 'high overlays' so that the world  could see another version of the Liberian's desire to live in peace with himself.

Even when the nation was divided among the factions: NPFL was in Gbarnga, the ULIMOs were in Turbmanburg and the Lofa Defense Force also was in Lofa in their stranglehold of Monrovia, then interim government of Dr. Amos Sawyer saw to it that with visionaries like Willard Russell and others at the helm at the LFA, the nation was represented at the South Africa 1996 Games.

Then the 2002 Mali Games came and with George Weah at the helm of the playing body, the Lone Star turned out in Mali, and the unfortunate recrimination afterward is yet to subside.

True, things have changed and Liberia of Amos Sawyer is not the same as that of Mr. Charles Taylor. Granted that this is true, is it not also true that those in government today have more expensive cars and are building Mansions for themselves' All at the time when the nation's economy is in dire need of redemption'

Is there anyway that some of those with more expensive cars may consider selling two or three so that the money can be used to send our soccer heroes to defend the honor of Liberia' Is anybody listening'

Since George Weah threw in the towel and decided not to concern himself with the national soccer team, can we say it is the end of our participation in international tournaments'

If Max Dennis and his friends have not realized it, let them remember the joy and satisfaction of inner ease when Lone Star defeated the Black Stars of Ghana 3-1 in Accra and defeated the Eagles of Nigeria 2-1 in Monrovia.

Let them also remember the mourning and anguish when the Black Stars won in Monrovia. Put the outcomes of the various instances together and see how important Liberian soccer should not be overlooked.

My only appeal is that there is enough wealth in Liberia to enable our youths to participate in international tournaments. Max Dennis must go to the right sources and pull the right strings and spare us these unwarranted withdrawals in the future.