Min.
Richards Rates Nigeria High
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May 17, 2006
The Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Mambu Richards has rated
the Nigeria Female U-20 high, and has said Liberia needs to model
from that powerful Nation in order to make strides in the area of
sports.
Briefing reporters on the recent trip to Nigeria where the Liberia
National Female U-20 were trounced 9-1 by the Super Falconets of
Nigeria on Saturday in the final round of the Russia 2006
qualifiers, Min.
Richards indicated that the Liberia female U-20 lost to a much more
organized and determined side at the Abuja National Stadium.
"They were much more technical and tactical side. In fact, Liberia
lost to a better side," he opined. He was however quick to point out
that the girls were true Ambassadors of Liberia.
"They showed discipline. There was no friction amongst them. They
respected each other, and they respected the officials as well.
Truly, they represented the country very well." On the match itself,
the sports administrator stated that the girls played well, but had
to succumb to a highly rated side.
He said that the team had to play without their influential captain
Florence Monbo due to chest pain.
The match, according to him, began at about 4:15 pm with the match
officials coming from Ethiopia, while the match commissioner came
from Ghana.
He further indicated that the guest of honor was Nigeria's Minister
for Women Affairs, Inna Mariam Ciroma.
The Abuja National Stadium, with a capacity of 60,000, was a
virtually empty venue as spectators seeing the match were less than
5,000.
"I was told by Madam Ciroma that there was not a huge turn out
because many opted to watch the English FA cup final match between
Liverpool and West Ham," Min. Richards indicated.
He then stated that the score line was 6-0 at half time. Goalkeeper
Mamie Kamara got injured just as it was in the first leg tie, and
had to be replaced by substitute goalie Famatta Jaliba when the
score was 3-0.
One of the goals, according to the minister, was an own goal from
Decontee Sayon.
After the interval, the story continued with the hosts banging in
the goals until the female U-20 pulled one back from a scramble
corner through Bendu Goi in the 82nd minute.
Mambu stressed that despite the defeat the girls proved their worth
as evidenced by their reach at the final stage of the qualifiers.
"We were told that Nigeria had similar problems when they began
their program. They did not score a goal in three matches in
Australia," Mambu highlighted.
He added "We had to console and encourage them in their locker room
after the match." Coming out of Nigeria he said is a yard stick to
see where they are and how far they want to go. He noted that the
Nigerians are much more organized and that they intend following
their examples.
Also, Mambu told the gathering that they intend forming a national
U-17 female team as well as a National U-15, U-17 and U-23 male
National teams.
He also said at the briefing that he had a chat with Liberia's
international coordinator for sports Steve Davis from South Africa
where Mr. Davis informed him via phone that he is arranging with the
South African authorities for a training program for the National
male U-17 and female U-20.
He also noted that he had a chat with the chief executive officer of
the sporting firm BAHLODI, Aziz Kara who reaffirmed his commitment
to sponsor the country's sporting program.
"There is a need that we put in place a well structured youth
program," he lamented. He however noted that the ministry aims to
promote the entire sporting sector not only football.
Also at the briefing was LFA Vice President for Administration,
Adolf Lawrence who buttressed Mambu's statement that the Nigerians
were a much better side.
"We have had a lot of positives on the trip to Nigeria, and there is
a need to improve the sporting program with youthfulness being
paramount," he said.
Also speaking was female U-20 coach Lucretius Togba who conceded
that the Nigerians were a better side.
He also stated that their Nigerian opponents infused a lot of new
players in their squad for the second leg which thwarted their game
plan for the second leg.
Min. Gray Decries Kortie The Assistant Minister of Sports, Murvee
Gray has decried LFA executive committee member David Kortie for his
recent statement made on Star Radio on Sunday stating that the
Ministry of Youth and Sports (MYS) can be blamed for the female U-20
disastrous 9-1 defeat to Nigeria on Saturday.
Min. Gray described Kortie's statement as childish and
irresponsible. He indicated that Mr. Kortie's statement is unethical
and does not augur well to the development of the game in the
country.
"This was the reason we at the MYS opted for a Journalist and
referee to go on the trip to Nigeria in order to have a vivid
account on the whole scenario, but a person of Kortie's character
kicked against it," he opined.
Min. Gray then called on Mr. Kortie to refrain from such negative
statements for the good of the game.
Mr. Kortie, who is otherwise known as "519" in local football
setting for his decision to form five female teams overnight as a
means of amassing votes to ascend to the LFA executive committee as
female football representative (decision many termed as criminal in
nature) is being described in many quarters as a controversial
figure who is more a problem than a solution not only in sports but
in politics as well.
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