The chairman of the committee organizing the “All Liberian Peace Festival” has informed the Daily Observer that President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has consented to attend the New Year's Day (January 1) program at the refurbished Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Paynesville.
Mr. Kekura Kamara in a phone interview yesterday disclosed that the Chief of Protocol at the Executive Mansion Mr. Eddie Dunn has informed him of the President's willingness to attend the peace festival which is expected to bring together Liberian musicians, cultural artists and former star players of Mighty Barrolle and Invincible Eleven.
Mr. Kamara who is also executive director of the Balawala International fame, said the Chief of Protocol has assured him that an official communication of the President's attendance will soon be forwarded to Ambassador George Manneh Weah, organizer of the festival.
It can be recalled that the former African Europe and World Footballer of the year recently wrote President Sirleaf inviting her to grace the New Year Day jamboree which is intended to restore hope to Liberian musical and cultural artists, while at the same time recognizing the great deeds of former Liberian national team players.
According to chairman Kamara, the soccer legend is expected to bring back home some Liberian musicians who he has been sponsoring in Ghana to launch some of their works which they produced in that country.
Mr. Kamara informed this paper that Mr. Weah is presently in Ghana and is expected to arrive in Ivory Coast to feature in a football match of former and present international stars in honor of Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo on December 29, 2007. Thereafter, the newly FIFA appointed Ambassador of Hope will fly in with some international stars to participate in the gala.
Meanwhile, latest reports from the training camps of Mighty Barrolle and Invincible Eleven speak of great seriousness the two traditional archrivals attach to the New Year derby. Both Frederick Cole of Barrolle and Isaac Teah of IE, coordinators of the two teams have unanimously agreed to help reactivate the positive rivalry that existed between their alma mater.