By Siebo Williams Our Liberian Correspondent


      (02/04/2004)Monrovia-The Ministry of Youth and Sports has awarded a US$7,000 plus contract to the Reeves and Reeves Company as contractor for the rehabilitation of the playing pitch of the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex.

     According to reports from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the contract is valued at US$7,127.00 and would last for 90 days. Minister-designate Wheatonia Dixon Barnes during the signing ceremony on Tuesday of this week represented the Ministry, while Edrick Reeves, General Manager of Reeves and Reeves Company signed as contractor.

     As far as the agreement is concerned, the contractor is charged with the task of removing and spreading top soil on the entire pitch, fertilize chemicals to kill insects, water the pitch and plant grass on the pitch. As enshrined in the memorandum of Understanding, Minister Barnes has reportedly instructed the exercise to begin effective as of Tuesday, February 3, 2004.

    The exercise comes after the Sports Ministry announced recently that the SKD Sports Complex would be ready before Liberia begins the 2006 World and African Nations Cup qualifiers against Mali in June 2004. The Contractor, Edrick Reeves, has assures the Sports Ministry that he would bring the pitch to pre-war status.

     During the rebel's onslaught on Monrovia, the SKD Sports Complex was used by displaced as safe haven. Close to 17,000 persons sought refuge. During their stay at the Complex, the playing pitch was completely damaged, rendering it unsuitable for matches to be played on there.

      The Sports Ministry recently launched a cleaning campaign after the displaced were relocated by the LRRRC. The Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex was contracted in the 80s. It was inaugurated on 1986. It had been the home ground of the National Football Team, the Lone Star.

      It is at that facility great countries like Nigeria, Congo Brazzaville, Ghana Black Stars, South Africa, Senegal, among others fell victim to Lone Star. The rehabilitation of pitch is a welcome development, because Liberians believe the SKD Sports Complex is a slaughter ground for opposing teams and countries.