As Another Unrewarding Season Begins Players Loom In Uncertainty

FA President Izetta Wesley

ANALYSIS
February 21, 2005

Wleh Bedell


What Does The FA Has To Offer?

The Liberia Football Association (LFA) National league began over the weekend with many clubs looking ill prepared and lowly motivated. As Our Sports Commentator Wleh Bedell reports, many football followers are looking in the direction of the FA as to what it has to offer in spite of the FA's President admission that much needs to be done.

There are contrasting views on what football is all about. As the world greatest footballer Edson Arantes Dos Santos Nascimento alias King Pele said "Football is fun and should be played with rhythm and flair".

While, Africa's 1994 footballer of the year Emmanuel Amunike said "Gone are the days where people played for pride and nothing else. Life is expensive". But, Brazilian 1994 World Cup winner Leonardo Nascimento De Arudjo describes football as entertaining, nerve breaking and highly mouth watering as those who are playing the game should benefit immensely.

With these bickering, Liberia joins the rest of the world to keep the global leather rolling, and is set to stage another National League.

The local football house began its 2005 national league, with a parade through the principal Streets of Monrovia. The ceremony which lacked the spice and pomp of a modern day football extravaganza saw only few clubs involved.

Even the Champions Club, Mighty Barrolle was not part of the parade.

In fact, most clubs in the parade were represented by few players whose status many are questioning.

Many onlookers were even astonished to hear the parade was marking the official opening of the LFA National league.

"I am not even aware that the league is opening today", an observer noted. Another die-hard soccer follower stated "there was not much awareness. And, I can't even find a fixture to know which clubs will be playing".

At the ATS, a brief ceremony took place, during which time the  thanked the few clubs that honored their invitation. She stated that much needed to be done.

She further urged Executive Committee members to work hard in order to withstand the challenges ahead.

Following her compendious remarked, madam Wesley then declared the league officially opened.

In the opening matches, defending Female Champions, Earth Angels who looked disjointed were humiliated by fast improved Kortie I.E 3-0, while in the premiership chase, a resurgent LPRC-Oilers side got the better of defending champions Mighty Barrolle 1-0.

A blistering left footed strike from substitute Isaac Popo ensured the maximum three points for the Oil boys. Goalkeeper Pascal Karblee stand accused of erratic goalkeeping which enable the Oilers braided hair play maker to place the ball beyond his reach.

The Oilers defensive pair of captain Shelton Barlee and David Tweh proved to be effective. But, the rollers front two of George Miller and the Nigerian Michael Amakaezee were mere shadows of them.

On Sunday, Pro-Anchor Sisters and Blanco played to a pulsating 2-2 draw.

While in the premiership new entrants NPA-Anchors under the tutelage of six times award winning coach Frank Jericho Nagbe edged out hurriedly assembled I.E 1-0.

The ruthless Prince Garwo, former of Mighty Barrolle got the solitary goal of the match, after a scrappy first half, both sides began the second period with some promising play.

It looked like a see saw event as strikers Quiah, Gbarmy and Opello George squandered chances.

Then, in the 74minutes, a clearly measured pass from enterprising midfielder Allison to Prince Garwo was played at the wrong side of Lartee Jackson.

At the same time, Pundits say the turnout for the parade, as well as the president's speech is certainly clear that football is at low ebb in the country.

As spectators prepare to see their various clubs in action with much expectancy, players are the most important part of the game nowadays seems to be looming in uncertainty.

After the last league season which was unrewarding, as clubs walked away with empty trophies and mere certificates, the players will be either the valiant or hero depending on their artistic play.

Most clubs are ill prepared and lowly motivated. The Barrolle issue where most of their regulars were absent as well as team's late arrival during the opening match against LPRC-Oilers is a pointer.

After ending as Champions last season, the players are still being unpaid. And, to make matter worse their president Lewis Brown Is out of the country.

Having abandoned their players in spite of the team ending as runners up in last season championship chase, officials of Invincible Eleven (I.E) had to save face when the club's Vice President for Operations Malike Dukuly rescued the team when he presented a cash of L$34,000 and 20 pair of boots last Friday.

Players from various clubs are said to be unhappy over the manner in which football is being run in the country.

One player said "After ending the last league we got nothing. And we are going again". Another player said "Our league is almost like a community one where you play just to entertain the people in the area".

"We put every thing in. But there is still no encouragement", another player said in a sad tone.

With all of these, pundits believe the FA has a lot to offer this season, and should go beyond concentrating on gate intakes.

The issue of clubs only receiving medals with no distinction should be obliterated.

The league has to be viable, as there is serious need to bring sponsors on board in order to motivate clubs.

One club president in the first division almost withdrew this season on grounds of no gain in the Liberian game.

"People put in all their resources and get nothing out. It is frustrating," he remarked.

The league has to be attractive and the FA must give subsidy to clubs.

Though, reports have it that the local football house made some donation to clubs.

Clubs need to engage in continental competitions.

Through this, younger talent will be spotted on the outside. There needs to be improvement in the organizational structure of the game.

As, there should be a systematic sort of promotion, Players need to move from one level to another. There should be standard set.

The fixture should be printed out at least two weeks to the commencement of the league. Surprisingly, fixtures for this season league were being distributed to clubs on the day of the league opening. This will help make clubs prepare adequately, as well as help make players prepare mentally. There should be much publicity.

And this will also encourage spectators as they will generate much interest for the games.

People should not enrich themselves or get some political fame at the expense of the clubs.

The onus is on the football house to put in place the proper frame work that will enable this league season to be a memorable one.

It is our ardent hope that this time around, award winning clubs will parade not only with medals and trophies, but that there would also be huge financial gains as is done in all other leagues around the world.

Pundits are hoping that the season will not end leaving players with bruises and unpaid salaries unattended to, or club presidents lurch in deficit and spectators trooping to games without seeing the much needed flair and mesmerizing ball artistry from the lads in the game.

Let us hope that the FA will take into account all of these in order to make the league worth watching. Let us all remember that fair play should be the hall mark of the day and let everyone be the winner.