New
Mandate For Izetta & Co
By Julu M. Johnson, Jr.
Saturday saw the dawn of a new era for Liberian football with the
official taking over of Cllr. Sombo Izetta Wesley and her team of
officers.
The new leadership of the Liberia Football Association (LFA) took the
gavel to run football for the next four years.
Former football star George Weah, who was once interested in heading
the LFA bit declared unqualified, was the one that installed Cllr.
Wesley as President, Pennoh W. Bestman, Vice President for
Administration, and Adolph A. Lawrence, Vice President for Operations.
Veteran politician Dr. Henry Boima Fahnbulleh Jr., who served as Guest
Speaker, graced the colorful occassion, which was hosted by the LFA at
the Monrovia Ciity Hall.
Also in attendance were the Minister of Youth and Sport, Cllr.
Jamesetta Howard-Wolokollie and the Deputy Minister for Sports, Marbue
Richards, as well as the President of the Liberia National Olympic
Committee (LNOC), Mr. Philibert S. Browne. Heads of other sporting
bodies, football clubs, sub-committees and associations, former
players and football followers were among those in attendance.
The new leadership of the LFA was elected on March 18, 2006 at the
12th Ordinary Congress of the LFA, held in Kakata, Margibi County.
Cllr. Wesley defeated her rival Siaka A. Sherif, who was then serving
as Vice President for Administration by a slim margin of 45 to 43
votes. Only one voter in Alexander Jaeploe was absent because he is
currently in the United States.
Cllr. Wesley, prior to the elections, was completing the tenure of the
former LFA President now Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Edwin M. Snowe. The latter quit to take over as Managing Director of
the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC) in 2003.
Having served the Invincible Eleven (IE) Majestic Sports Association
in numerous capacities, Cllr. Wesley served two terms as Vice
President for Administration of the LFA.
As for Bestman, now LFA Vice President for Administration, he
contested the March 18 elections without an opponent.
The Black Star boss lastly served as Vice President for Operations. He
was defeated in 2001 by Cllr. Wesley in the race for the post of first
Vice President. Bestman didn’t give up until a vacancy was created
when Sherif was leaving the post to become Vice President for
Administration.
Lawrence shockingly but convincingly outclassed former Executive
Committee member Beauford O. Weeks to become second Vice President of
the LFA.
The new LFA Vice President for Operations used to own the St. Anthony
FC, which collapsed after he went to the United States.
Like his defeated opponent, Lawrence holds a Master degree in Geology.
The wind of change at the LFA is likely to see fresh faces in other
areas with the post of Secretary-General topping the list.
Changing the current LFA Secretary-General Yanqueh S. Borsay appears
to be a tough decision for Cllr. Wesley to take, but the soccer
populace is eagerly waiting to see what would be done in this
direction.
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