More Worries Hit
Swimming Team's Departure
By Julu M. Johnson, Jr.
The participation of Liberia in the Swimming World
Championship in the United States is becoming more frustrating.
While the Liberian government remains reluctant in releasing
funds for the trip, the United States Embassy is yet to issue visas to
the four-man delegation.
The President of the Liberia National Swimming
Federation (LNSF), S. Ahmad Tukpah revealed that the delegation could
not leave Monrovia on Wednesday due to delay in acquiring visas.
Tukpah said, "When the Protocol Officer at the
Foreign Ministry went to collect the passports, he was told by the
Visa Consular to go the US Embassy on Thursday.
He added, "The Protocol Officer said the Visa Consular
was still looking our documents," Tukpah told our reporter.
The Swimming Federation boss cried, "This is very
frustrating because the tournament will start on Thursday, October 7."
It is also the same Thursday that, according to the
Swimming president, the Government has vowed to release the
US$13,200.00 promised the team.
It was been disclosed that all other formalities
surrounding the trip, including book-in, have been done except the
visas and the money pledged by the Government.
He, however, gave praises to the Youth and Sports
Minister Wheatonia Dixon-Barnes for "working towards the success of
the trip."
The 2004 swimming world championship is taking place in
Indianapolis, United States, from October 7 to 11.
Liberia was invited to the championship by the United
States Aquatic Sports, Inc. Two swimmers, not named, have been
selected for the trip. They will participate in the 50 meters
butterfly and freestyle.
While in the US, an official of the federation
will attend the FINA Bureau Meeting and other workshops.
"Liberia will lead the parade for taking part for the
first time. This is why we want to be there," said the Swimming
president. |
Please Click our Sponsors
Links to support the site
|
