Each of the 15 Counties, through their County Sports Coordinators, beginning today (Tuesday) at 9am, will receive a check for L$1,740,000 (equivalent to US$20,000) for technical and logistic preparations, Deputy Sports Minister Henry B. Yonton, Jr. has announced.

The four host counties, Grand Bassa, Nimba, Margibi and Grand Gedeh will also receive checks (undisclosed) for renovation and technical support for the holding of the preliminary rounds.

Deputy Sports Minister Yonton said the delay in giving-out of the funds was to allow other counties (names withheld) reactivate their Liberian dollars accounts.

Minister Yonton made the announcement over the weekend at the end of a two-day capacity building and information sharing workshop held at the Right to Play Hope Recreation and Resource Center in the King Gray Community, opposite the SKD Sports Complex.

The training brought County Sports Coordinators, Monitors, Statisticians, Referees and Staff from the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

He said the checks would only be given to recognize County Sports Coordinators or official designated persons from the counties.

Some of the recognized County Sports Coordinators who attended the workshop included Gborboe Gblinwon – Nimba; Borbor Myers – Maryland; Abrahmah L. McGill – Bong; F. Samuel Dweh – River Gee; Richard Kumah, Jr. – Sinoe and Clarence B. Kollie – Gbarpolu.

Others were William Wangbah – Grand Kru; Arthur B. Jimmy – Grand Bassa; Anthony Papie Sumo – Montserrado; Sundifu V. Massaley – Grand Cape Mount; Piaff Ayres - Grand Gedeh; Stephen C. Kollie – Bomi and Evan Somah – River Cess.

During the workshop which ran from Thursday to Friday, Mr. J. Bryant McGill – the Chief of Office Staff of the Deputy Sports Minister gave an overview of the National County Sports Meet and said that at the end of the tournament there will be first and second place trophies and medals, including cash awards to deserving players and an overall trophy.

Bryant said there will also be awards to eminent Liberians for their contributions to sports, peace and development.

He mentioned that there will be a national launch of the 2015/2016 County Meet in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County on Saturday, December 12, and subsequently other regional launch at host cities, Sanniquellie, Kakara and Zwedru.

“The host counties are responsible to provide an enabling environment for visiting teams, match and games officials, staff of the Ministry of Youth and Sports and spectators,” Mr. McGill said.

Mr. Kesselee K. Kanneh of the MYS’ Sports Bureau lectured on the newly adopted Code of Conduct for assigned MYS Staff, County Officials and Match officials.

The Code of Conduct amongst other things deals with ethics and conduct of each and every assigned MYS Staff, county officials and match officials participating in the 2015/2016 County Meet.
Bribes, misconduct and bad officiating top the Code of Conduct.

The MYS Technical Sports Director, Kelvin Sebwe ran through the Rules and Regulations of the 2015/2016 County Meet, while the Assistant Sports Minister spoke on leadership.

The National County Sports Meet is being organized by the Youth and Sports Ministry in collaboration with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and consultations with sporting associations under the theme ‘Liberia’s rising through sports.’

The County Sports Meet, first hosted in 1956, is an annual sporting festival, primarily as a platform for national reconciliation and unity; bring together all 15 counties to participate in four disciples.

It may be recalled that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in her last annual message said County Meet offers more than just entertainment, providing renewed possibilities for healing wounds and burying all individuals and personal differences to rally behind their respective counties.

“We must therefore use the occasion of the National County Sports Meet to re-dedicate and re-commit ourselves from the county level to a national goal of sustainable unity, reconciliation and accelerated socio-economic integration and development,” the President said.

On this Friday thousands of Bong County citizens and other part of the country, including Bassa speaking natives are expected to throng the Port City of Buchanan, Grand Bassa County to watch the opening match in the 2015/2016 County Meet.

Defending football champions Grand Bassa, dubbed the Gbezohn Boys, have lots of sweats to bear – hosting former County Meet champion Bong County and enterprising River Gee and Sinoe counties.

The workload on Grand Bassa will involve maintaining the golden trophy which may entail their qualification as one of the two teams for the quarter finals.

Bong County – what many called the ‘Wounded Lion’ will not only promise an entertaining football on Saturday but will be determined to scramble for the quarter finals by winning all the three games.

Though Sinoe and River Gee have not made exploits in the County Meet for about a decade, Senators J. Milton Teahjah and Commany Wesseh have decided to make headways in the first County Meet since their election in December 2014.

Reports say the two underdog counties are convinced they will emerge from Group I which favorites, Bassa and Bong have to prove them wrong.

According to the fixture, Bassa and Bong are expected to engage each other in kickball and football; on Saturday, December 12, at 2:00pm at the Doris William Stadium in Buchanan.

Up to present, the Youth and Sports Ministry has yet to confirm whether President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf or Vice President Joseph Boakai will do the official kickoff.

However, the cabinet led by Director Jordan Solunteh is expected on the field, including diplomatic corps.

There colors expected to dominate the stadium are orange and red and odds are yet to be known because the two sides’ kinsmen are equally many.

On Sunday, December 13, the County Meet continues with kickball and football matches, including three other venues – Sanniquellie, Zwedru and Kakata.

2015/2016 County Meet Preliminary Rounds – Football & Kickball
Weekend Fixture
Group 1
Date Match venue Time Category
12-12-15 Grand Bassa Vrs Bong Buchanan 14:00 Kickball
12-12-15 Grand Bassa Vrs Bong Buchanan 16:00 Foot ball
12-13-15 River Gee Vrs Sinoe Buchanan 14:00 Kickball
12-13-15 Buchanan 16:00 Foot ball

Group II
12-13-15 Cape Vrs Bomi Sanniquellie 11:00am Kickball
12-13-15 Nimba Vrs Maryland Sanniquellie 12:00noon Kickball
12-13-15 Cape Vrs Bomi sanniquellie 14:00 Football
12-13-15 Nimba Vrs Maryland Sanniquellie 16:00 Football

Group III
12-13-15 River cess Vrs Grand Kru Zwedru 11:00am Kickball
12-13-15 Grand Gedeh Vrs Lofa Zwedru 12:00noon Kickball

12-13-15 River cess Vrs Grand Kru Zwedru 14:00 Football
12-13-15 Grand Gedeh Vrs Lofa Zwedru 16:00 Football

Group IV
12-13-15 Margibi Vrs Montserrado Kakata 14:00 Kickball
12-13-15 Margibi Vrs Montserrado Kakata 16:00 Football

With two weeks to the County Meet, the Ministry of Youth and Sports has introduced the ‘Code of Conduct,’ which is expected to ‘check’ staff from the Ministry, referees, and the match officials to curtail cheating, match-fixing and other corrupt practices “to ensure that the objective of the 59 year old national sports tournament is achieved.”

The Code of Conduct bans the involvement of three groups of match officials directly and indirectly with the games and the teams, and their penalties, but did not include the prohibition of the public display of juju.

Perhaps the Ministry is yet to realize that it’s the public display of juju is creeping into the county meet.

In Africa and particularly Liberia, where juju is common among us, footballers have consulted anyone who may have the ability to help outside the game through spiritual means.

The reactivation of the County Sports Meet after the civil war has changed the true pleasure of the game, with some counties using juju to overcome their opponents similarly as Diego Maradona, the former coach of Argentina hinted at some African countries using juju to win.

During the past County Meet, fans were seen with juju pots in country cloth – probably to ward off opponents’ devils or to evoke good will on their side.

Sometimes fans held animal’s tails with their teeth to swing along with their beard, and chant loudly while running in the crowd and on the field.

County Meet players are reported to drink herbs to boost their performance while others bath with herbs to neutralize any ‘medicine’ that would be used against them. Others have said county teams bury ‘substances’ on the field.

In spite of whatever that have been seen or rumoured, such public display of juju should not be ignored and its prohibition should claim the attention of the ministry.

“The Ministry should make it part of its Code of Conduct to stop counties from using juju and come up with penalties for violators,” David Nah of Maryland said.

Emmanuel Flomo of Lofa said, “Juju isn’t uncommon in sports, and football and its players are no exception to this rule.”

“Public display of juju in any form should be banned from the field,” Nathaniel Toe of Gbarpolu said.

Regretfully, during the two-day capacity building and information sharing workshop conducted for the Ministry’s staff, referees, statisticians, monitors, match officials and counties’ sports coordinators, the chairman of the 2015/2016 County Meet, Deputy Sports Minister Henry B. Yonton, Jr., remained silent on the issue.

Howbeit five sports coordinators said the practice of juju in the county sports meet is gradually becoming noticeable.

The men in separate interviews with the Daily Observer said they are not crying foul to justify their losses in the past but called on the co-organizer, the Ministry of Internal Affairs to take note of it.

The need to learn the rudiments of soccer to an appreciable level, and to also promote sports and education, has fired the Monrovia Football Academy (MFA) into action to chart a new course to develop talented players for the future.

The MFA has two primary objectives, said co-founder and Director, Will Smith, which are to address the constant failing in education and to address the illegal transfer of Liberian players abroad, as it was recently reported in Laos. In that report several young Liberian footballers went to Laos without the required paperwork that led to problems.

“We combine sport with education to create in the children a new focus,” Smith said in an interview. “We also teach them life skills on how to interact with each other.”

With abundant talent, Smith said young Liberians deserve professional coaching and quality education from an early age. That’s why from Monday to Thursday 30 kids (both boys and girls) spend more than seven hours to have fun with football.

Though Smith is an American, his co-founder, head coach and community coordinator is Liberian Sekou Dgeorges Manubah. Smith insists that he wants the program to be a Liberian initiative so that in the near future he could move on to an advisory role and make the program a truly Liberian initiative.

Smith said he is does not share the popular belief that outsiders have the solution for what is wrong here in Liberia. “I take advice from my Liberian friends; and besides me, every other member is a Liberian.”

At the visit to the training ground last Monday at the Blue Field, near the Antoinette Tubman Stadium in Monrovia, Smith and Manubah (both professional coaches) had 26 kids divided in two groups of 10 and 16 respectively, tooking the youngsters through the rudiments of the game.

The children eagerly followed instructions, as the coaches carefully explained, repeatedly at every juncture, a particular aspect of the game so that the children can assimilate or internalize “to let it come out naturally in the future.”

Though the young players ran around with excitement as the training continued, the coaches seemed to enjoy what they were teaching, handling each of the group with keen but remarkable attention.

The young players enjoyed a thirty minute lecture on the concepts of football every morning before regular physical and tactical training. And after regular training ends at 11:30am, they rush to shower nearby and proceed to have their food especially prepared for them.

Smith said, “We recognize that after training the children need nutritious meals to build their bodies before proceeding to class from 1-5:30pm.”

They train from Monday to Thursday. Friday and Saturday are reserved for classes, Smith said. The Monrovia Football Academy has its own website: http://www.monroviafa.com/home/

With support from partners, including the Saracens Sports Foundation of the United Kingdom, friends, including Liberians in the US, the Monrovia Football Academy’s dream is to take advantage of the abundant natural soccer talents and turn them into gold.

The chairman of the English Club Chelsea’s local chapter on 110th Street in New Kru Town, Monrovia Mr. Nathaniel Wrawreh has died.

He died on Sunday, November 22, after a brief illness. He was 67.

Wrawreh, known popularly as Nath, loved football and organized the Chelsea Fan Club at his residence and maintained position as its chairman. Though he did not play active football, he followed the game and was knowledgeable of the history of Liberian soccer.

Wrawreh worked for LAMCO for many years in Buchanan before developing interest and becoming a seaman, traveling to many countries, family sources said.

In discussions with youngsters, Wrawreh would explain the history of Liberian football as it was in the past, and he was good at names of players in the 1960s. He often said he saw Liberia’s legendary skipper, Wanibo Toe, and others including Jackson Weah in action. He always expressed regret over the lack of support to Liberian football and hoped something could be done.

Wrawreh followed European and other league tables around the world, and was always aware when Chelsea, his favorite team was scheduled to play.

“He never failed to watch Chelsea’s game,” the Daily Observer learned. He named his residence the House of Knowledge because he was ever willing to offer advice to the youngsters who came across him.

“It is this place that every evening older men meet to discuss issues they see necessary about the country,” an elder told the Daily Observer yesterday.

Wrawreh’s years on the sea took him to Europe, North America, Latin America and Asia and he would narrate stories during his encounters there with fond memories, family sources told the Daily Observer.

Lately, he developed interest in older friends who have been single for one reason or another. “He would say your woman kicked you that is why you are single,” another said with a laugh.

Wrawreh, followed his own tradition to announce upcoming games, and would hoist the flag of Chelsea or whenever there was a game elsewhere, he would hoist a flag of neighboring countries.

“He listened to the BBC a lot,” another friend said, “because every morning he would be the first to inform us about the latest games and even news about Africa and the world.”

His death is being felt by the community, another said. He was in charge of the nearby community well and ensured that it had proper care.

He said Wrawreh’s death came as a shock because he watched Chelsea Saturday’s (November 21) 1-0 win over Norwich City. He said after the game that night, Wrawreh had complained feeling cold and later decided to go to bed.

Wrawreh’s burial is set for Saturday. There will be a daylight parade on Friday, to be followed by wake-keeping at his residence on 110th Street. Friends agreed to contribute Ld300 each towards his burial.

He leaves to mourn his three children, Wrawreh, Jennifer and Abel and a host of other relatives and friends both in Liberia and in the United States.

Over 10,000 fans from host Grand Bassa, including Sinoe, Bong and River Gee counties, and the eight teams, are expected to formally parade the principal streets of the Port City Buchanan at 9:00am today and climax it with an indoor program at the Doris Williams Sports Stadium.

Defending football champions Grand Bassa, dubbed the Gbezohn Boys are expected to be in their dominant red, while Bong County, also called the Kpatawi Boys will wear orange.

Bassa has a lot to do to maintain morale and the trophy in front of their spectators, while traditional finalist Bong County is full of surprises.

At 2:00pm, the kickball teams for both sides will kick off the tournament and two hours later, the football squads will continue the ball rolling.

Chief referee Lamin Kamara is expected to be in the centre of the football game, while the ref for the kickball game has not been announced.

Though Sinoe and River Gee have not made exploits in the County Meet for about a decade, Senators J. Milton Teahjah and Commany Wesseh have decided to make headways in the first County Meet since their election in December 2014.

Reports say the two underdog counties are convinced they will emerge from Group I which favorites, Bassa and Bong have to prove them wrong.

However, the Cabinet led by Director Jordan Solunteh is expected on the field, including diplomatic corps.

On Sunday, December 13, the County Meet continues with kickball and football matches, including three other venues - Sanniquellie, Zwedru and Kakata.

In Bassa, Sinoe and River Gee will lock horns with each other in both kickball, while in Sanniquellie Cape Mount County will rub shoulders with Bomi County in kickball and football and Nimba County will host Maryland County also in both sports.

In Zwedru, River Cess meets Grand Kru and Grand Gedeh faces Lofa in kickball and football. In Kakata, Margibi hosts Montserrado in both kickball and football. Two winners from each zone will come in Monrovia – the fifth city for finals. The tournament will run from December 12, 2015 to January 17, 2016.

Two ailing football coaches were last Saturday told to take heart because their friends in the United States are thinking of them, “and want to ensure that you get medical treatment for their respective sufferings,” said ex NPA goal-getter, who has been appointed liaison officer of the Liberia Athletes Reunion, (LAR) Jonathan Armah Baxter.

He visited the two ailing coaches in their respective residences in Monrovia.

The first visit was at the Borough of New Kru Town in Monrovia where Baxter, on behalf of the Liberia Athletes Reunion of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, USA, told ‘Experience’ Sayon Davis, who has been suffering from stroke over the last three years, “I am here on behalf of your friends in the USA to see what can be done to get proper medication for your sickness.”

He told Davis that news of his illness has reached his friends, who were former play-mates and team-mates and they want to provide him some initial assistance for him to get medical help. The initial amount that he has received, he said is meant only for him to seek medical assistance.

Baxter told him that his visit was to identify a health facility to let him begin treatment this Wednesday.

“I am glad that my friends in the USA never forgot me and I’m grateful for their remembrance,” Davis responded. Davis has limited use of his legs. He finds it extremely difficult to move from one place to another but he said he is hopeful that with support from those who cared, God could work miracles in his life.

Baxter concluded an arrangement with Mr. Isaac Wreh, who has been a pillar of support and who described his role as a protocol officer, to Mr. Davis to identify a health center, possibly on Bushrod Island.

Baxter’s second visit was at the Block 13 Community near the ELWA Market where Mr. Joker Wreaker was met with his wife and representatives of Block 13, including its chairman Warcee Gbogba.

Chairman Gbogba explained that the community provides moral and material to support to “Coach Joker because we do it to identify with him.”

Joker said his problem is about his left arm that he has limited use of, through what he said is ‘gowa’ on his foot that needs to heal.

Baxter agreed that the ELWA Hospital could be the first option for Mr. Wreaker and by Wednesday, a formal visit will be done to get him started.

The Liberia Athletes Reunion is headed ex Invincible Eleven player Ahmadu Sarnor as its chairman. Members include former Liberian athletes domiciling in the United States, Canada and Europe. The membership includes both former basketballers and footballers.

The organization invites Liberian athletes in different disciplines to its yearly reunion, two of which were held in the United States. It intends to work with all organizations that represent former national team players. The Former National Team Players Association, which is headed by Mr. Washington Blay is set to hold discussions with LAR liaison officer Baxter to be able to work with the LAR in its future programs in Liberia.

There were exciting wins over the weekend, and thus gives the probability that there might be strange entries in Monrovia for the quarterfinals at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium.

On Saturday, fans of Grand Bassa County were extremely embarrassed in the opener of the 2015/2016 National County Sports Meet when the football and kickball squads were humiliated at home - and in their presence.

The dominant red and white fans are grumbling for a change in the chairmanship to Garmondeh Karnga – who they said, never caused such humiliation during his tenure.

The Orange fans of Bong County took over the field with ‘very wild celebration’ in their two opening wins.

The defending kickball champs - Kpatawi girls of Bong dragged the Gbehzohn girls 5-2 points in nine rounds after double tied.

The football squad of Bong County maintained the spirits to defeat defending football champs and host Grand Bassa County 2-0.

The wins have put Bong one-leg to qualification and need another win to book a place to sojourn to Monrovia for the ‘Big 8.’

This means Bassa must win her remaining games in both kickball and football to comfortably join group leader Bong County.

One more defeat or a draw will definitely put them out of contention, and will allow either Sinoe or River Gee County to move ahead.

The second day of the County Sports Meet – in the Group 1 fixture, River Gee narrowly hammered Sinoe County 6-5 points in kickball; and 1-0 in football.

Bong County tops the group with a goal difference followed by River Gee – the favorites.

In Group Il battles, Grand Cape Mount County unmercifully whipped Bomi County 19-0 points at the Sanniquellie Sports Stadium.

Ivanline Corneh and Mekie Bollied made more home runs, while Myriah Zuo won the highest air ball and veteran kickballer Mary Ben contributed to their success as ‘the pitcher.”

In the second game, Nimba County beat Maryland County 11-4 points.

In football, Bomi County defeated Grand Cape Mount County 2-1. The 2008/2009 champs got the opener through a spot kick from defender Christian Zeke in the 5th minute. After recess, the 2011/2012 winners rotated the score in the 48th minute from Dada Eto’o strike. Two minutes
later, Bomi’s versatile midfielder Sekou Sheriff increased the tally from a scissor kick.

Another win from Bomi County will make them to qualify for the first time in three years since 2011.

Host Nimba County and Maryland settled to a pulsating 1-1 draw.

Maryland skipper Patrick Williams raised the curtain in the 19th minute, and a minute later, Irvin Gbotoe levelled the tally. Bomi County leads Group II.

In Grand Gedeh’s Zone – Group III, Grand Kru whipped River Cess County 6-4 points, and Grand Gedeh thrashed Lofa 15-8 points in kickball.

River Cess and Grand Kru counties ended goal-less in the football encounter, while Lofa County exceptionally whipped host county Grand Gedeh 1-0.

In Group of IV Montserrado County thrashed host Margibi 7-3 points as well as 3-1 in football.

Margibi’s defeat has added to the defeat of host counties to three.

The Chairman of the Nimba County Steering Committee, Floyd Tomah told newsmen yesterday that the Mountainous Boys did ‘well’ because she was the only host county which didn’t suffer any defeat.

He, however, expressed disappointment over the results owing to the level of preparation since September.

However, according to the fixture, the preliminary continues for the ‘Big 8’ quarterfinal slots.

Nimba County soccer coach Muta Fofana has disclosed that Nimba’s 1-1 draw with Maryland County in the ongoing National County Meet was because his players underestimated Maryland.

Speaking to this newspaper after the game on December 13, he said the Maryland game was not a priority as compared to other teams in their group.

Nimba drew with Maryland County on Sunday which brought disappointment ro Nimbaians who had expected victory.

Prior to the game, the entire city of Sanniquellie was besieged by enthusiastic fans of Nimba County, dancing all night long on the main street of Sanniquellie as they waited for victory.

However, Coach Muta reassured fans that there will be no more joke in their remaining games because the team will win to bring them joy.

“We are sure of defeating the remaining teams to bring joy to our people,” he said.

Maryland and Nimba counties are ahead of Group II with four points after struggling to win their respective games 2-1.

The Harper boys beat former group leader Bomi County 2-1 and host Nimba unimpressively defeated 10-man Grand Cape Mount County 2-1.

The Tubmanburg boys got an early lead in the 14th minute through a header from Amara Telleh owing to a right cross from Christian Alberto Karlon.

The dominant boys in white maintained pressure but couldn’t increase their lead in spite of Christian Zeke and Sekou Sheriff making inroads against Grand Cape Mount.

The Harper boys leveled the score in the 53rd minute through a scissor kick from skipper Patrick Williams.

Ten minutes later, a cross from the right found Thomas Koffa who headed the ball into the net. Since the 1980s, Maryland has never won a title and from 2006-2010 the Harper boys had been in the quarterfinals. From 2011 – they have never left the preliminary (group) stage.

In football, Nimba County got the lead in the 14th minute through a spot kick from Alex Bedell. Five minutes in the second half, Abdulia Bility rotated the score from a thunder shot on the 18-yard line.

In the 84th minute, Emmanuel Kiahon scored the winning goal during a ball scramble.

Maryland County boys are now on top of the football table with four points, having earlier settled to a draw with host Nimba County, while Bomi is next with three points, Nimba – 3rd with two points and Grand Cape Mount County, one point.

In kickball, the Harper girls whipped Tubmanburg girls 17 – 4 points, which sent the Bomi kickball squad home after two defeats.

Grand Cape Mount dragged Nimba County 8-5 points, which
automatically qualified them for the quarterfinal after two wins. The Gbasajamba girls whipped Bomi County 19-0 points in the first derby.

In Group I, host Grand Bassa County whipped Sinoe County 16-3 points and Bong County defeated River Gee 6-2 points in kickball.

Bong’s second win in kickball put her through to the quarterfinals, while Sinoe and River Gee, with a game advantage are in contention for the remaining slot.

In football River Gee County beat Bong County 1-0. The second derby between the county and Sinoe ended in commotion after a goal from host Grand Bassa.

In Zwedru (Group III) River Cess whipped Lofa County, 6-2 points and Grand Gedeh County bowed 11-5 points. Lofa’s kickball team is out owing to two defeats, while Grand Kru County has qualified from two wins. Grand Gedeh and Rivercess will fight for the remaining window. In football Lofa and Rivercess settled to a 1-1 draw meaning the Voinjama boys top the group with four points, and Grand Kru bowed 0-1 to host Grand Gedeh. Grand Gedeh is now second on the log with
three points.

In Group IV, Gbarpolu County thrashed Montserrado County in both kickball and football 13-10 points and 1-0 respectively.

There will be 14 battles across four cities today, to determine who will qualify for the ‘Big 8 Quarterfinals’ at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium in Monrovia.

Inarguably, there would be surprise entries in Monrovia in both kickball and football categories, but the worst disappointments and perhaps trouble, will be the ousting of host counties.

In Nimba County, there’s a probability that there will be a very bad repercussion if Nimba County fails to qualify ahead of Bomi County.

Prior to Nimba and Grand Cape Mount’s derby on Tuesday, there was a bloody scuffle between a male player of Grand Cape Mount and a female player of Nimba which nearly resulted to a riot.

A Nimba player was detained by Police owing to the gravity of an injury inflicted on a Cape Mount player who was few minutes away to play for Nimba County.

There were strange display of players and technical staff from all of the counties, and some public display of juju – Grand Cape Mount kickball team entered the field on one leg, and beat Nimba in kickball; and a technical staff from Nimba said when blood is spilled, there would be victory – and there was bloody fight, and Nimba won in spite of some players of Cape Mount’s strange jogging around the field, wasting strange substances.

In today’s battles in Sanniquellie, all of the teams need victory, but most especially the group leaders in both categories.

Grand Cape Mount County has already qualified in the kickball but dropped in football – therefore, both of their last games against Maryland are bluff.

If Maryland, who has four points, loses, draws or wins (with) Cape Mount, the game between Nimba and Bomi County will still be “Do or Die,” because the winner will definitely qualify.

Both Maryland and Nimba need at least a draw in football to have ‘clear tickets’ for the quarterfinals – but Bomi should have to win if she wants to pull through.

In kickball, it’s evident that Grand Cape County will pin Maryland but it can’t be ruled out that the dice turns, whereas between Nimba and Bomi, the odds are at stake.

In Buchanan, the organizers of the tournament have awarded three points and two goals to Grand Bassa owing to Sinoe County’s discontinuation of the game between the host county, when Bassa netted an allegedly offside goal.

Host Bassa desperately needs a win over group leader River Gee County to accumulate six points and qualify. River Gee tops with six points and already booked a ticket for the quarterfinals.

Bong County also needs a win over Bong County to claim one of the two slots.

In Zwedru – the group of death - Lofa is ahead with four points, followed by Grand Gedeh (three points) and River
Cess (two points).

Both Grand Gedeh and Rivercess need at least a draw for either to qualify, but a draw will be to the benefit of Grand Gedeh. Group leader Lofa plays underdog Grand Kru County.

In kickball, Lofa is out of contention from two losses, but River Cess is up with two wins, while Grand Gedeh has one win.

In Group IV, Gbarpolu needs at least a draw to head the zone as well as to qualify along with Montserrado County, but a loss to Margibi will cause the host to qualify with a goal difference alongside Montserrado County who has three goals, two goals difference and one for – Gbarpolu only has one goal.

Mourners celebrating the home-going of Nathaniel P. Wrawreh, 67, chairman of English club Chelsea Fan Club, on 110th Street in New Kru Town last Saturday were reminded of the prayer of King David who asked God to cause him to know his end.

Rev. Augustus Sokloo, on the theme ‘Life is short’ drew his message from Psalm 39:4-7 and said David asked God to give him the “measure of my days—what it is, that I may know how transient I am.”

Held at the Morris Kaypah Funeral Parlors in Upper Caldwell, outside Monrovia, Rev. Sokloo quoted King David when he told God, “You have made my days just a few; and my life’s duration is as nothing in front of you.”

He asked the congregation of families and friends to remember that “surely every earthling man, though standing firm, is nothing but an exhalation.” Hence, like David, “Our expectation must be toward God.”

Rev. Sokloo said in a semblance, man walks about in vain and piles up things and does not know who will be gathering them.

“Only God we must look up to when tragedy strikes; and therefore, the family and friends must look up to God in this difficult time,” Rev. Sokloo said.

Meanwhile, the congregation reviewed the lamentation of Job (Job 7:1-10) on the shortness of life on earth, and with God as the only hope for the future.

Wrawreh died on November 22 after a brief illness. His life sketch was read by his son, Geeboe Wrawreh. His remains were interred in Caldwell.

The preliminary round of the on-going County Meet has ended in four cities, with three of the four host counties qualifying for the quarterfinals.

Group I, II and III hosts Grand Bassa, Nimba and Grand Gedeh counties have qualified for the quarterfinals in both football and kickball.

Group III host Margibi County only dropped out of football.

In Group I, Bong County thrashed Sinoe County 3-1 and qualified as group leader, while defending football champions Grand Bassa narrowly qualified as runners-up when she whipped River Gee 1-0. Both Bassa and River Gee Counties have six points, but Bassa emerged owing to ‘Goal For.’

For kickball Group I, Bong County trounced Sinoe County 5-2 and qualified with nine points, followed by Grand Bassa with six points.

In Group II, Nimba succeeded as head of the pack with seven points when she flogged Grand Cape Mount 2-0 in a tension-packed match that almost ended in a boycott.

Mustapha Lomell’s slanting shot from the left wing caused an own goal and Nyahn Dahn’s header saw Nimba County moved to the next round.

The second half started about 15 minutes late owing to Bomi’s protest over poor officiating.

Bomi County missed several chances to level the score in the second stanza, and Coach Cooper, in a calm tone, claimed responsibility for Cape Mount’s loss.

Interestingly, Maryland bowed out 5-3 to Grand Cape Mount, but still qualified with four points. Strikers Adam Freeman and Sam Matadi got their consolation win after two defeats.

Earlier in kickball, Nimba whipped Bomi County 38-0 points to emerge second to Grand Cape Mount, who beat Maryland 14 – 5 points to top the table unbeaten.

In Group III, Lofa topped Group III with seven points after a narrow 1-0 win over Grand Kru and Grand Gedeh also qualified after 2-0 defeat over River Cess. In Kickball, Grand Kru, without a defeat, qualified with nine points when she pinned Lofa 5-2 points. Grand Gedeh beat River Cess 6-5 points to qualify.

In Group IV, Montserrado emerged as group leader with three points and a goal difference, followed by Gbarpolu with three points, while the host county also has three points but two goals against. In kickball, Montserrado and Margibi have qualified.

The quarterfinals will resume on Sunday, January 3, 2016 at the ATS, in Monrovia.

Meanwhile, the preliminary rounds for the basketball and volleyball will kick off on Sunday, December 20 at the Sports Commission on Broad Street, Monrovia.

Grand Bassa will play Bong in the opener while Sinoe meets River Gee, and Nimba faces Maryland both in volleyball and basketball.

Fans and the Movement for the Promotion of Kickball in Nimba County have named Grand Cape Mount County’s kickball captain, Mary Ben, alias ‘Agogo,’ the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in Group II at the end of the preliminary rounds, which ran from Sunday, December 13 to Thursday, December 17, at the Sanniquellie Sports Stadium in Nimba County.

The Gbasajamba kickball captain was tipped on Thursday, December 17, when they beat Maryland 14-5 points to top the group with nine points after three games.

Cape Mount defeated Bomi 19-0 points in the opener, whipped host Nimba County in the second derby and then Maryland to seal their unbeaten record.

Mary, weighing about 185 pounds, told journalists that through regular training, she’s able to control her game, stressing that obesity cannot stop her from playing kickball.

Statistically, Mary has 100% in Air Ball Catch (ABC); 90% in Kick Spot; 90% in Pitching; and 95% in Running and Sliding. She wears jersey number 10.

In an exclusive interview with the Daily Observer, Mary said she began her kickball career at age 14 at the former George Call Junior High School, now Greater Vision High School, in New Kru Town.

When she moved to Gardnersville, Mary enrolled at Addo Mills High School on Barnersville, where she served as captain for the kickball team until her graduation in 2008.

In 2001, she joined the Amazon Kickball Team; and eight years later, she was appointed captain, where she serves up to the present. Amazon is the current triple champs of the Liberia Kickball Federation (LKF).

Mary played her debut County Meet in 2006 for Sinoe County and lost in the finals to River Cess County. In 2008, she also played for Maryland County and lost in the finals to Nimba County. The following year, she played for Grand Cape Mount County and stopped in the quarterfinals.

Two years later, she played for Nimba County and came third.

The following year, she returned to Grand Cape Mount and reclaimed her current captaincy.

The 30-year old is a mother of two daughters ages 11 and 6, and said she has no plan to put an end to her kickball career.

She said she will keep playing kickball until her bones are old enough unable to knock the object.

“I started playing in the County Meet for Sinoe in 2006 that is about 10 years ago and I don’t wish to retire; as you can see, I am still strong, and more to that I want to keep fit. You know exercise keeps the body young,” Mary said.

Though big in structure, Mary’s performance has compelled coaches to select her during tryouts, with no restriction on the ages and number of times for kickballers to feature in the annual sporting festival.

When asked whether she would remain with Cape Mount, Mary said: “The County Meet is like the European league where players transfer from one team to the other. I am with Cape Mount this year, if another County comes for me and I judge the wages, I could leave; but for now, Cape Mount is my employer and I pledge my allegiance,” she added.

Nimba County Superintendent Fong Zuagele has announced that Sanniquellie Sports Stadium will be named in honor of businessman Floyd S. Tomah for his immense contribution to the development and promotion of sports in the county.

Superintendent Zuagele said he has already made the formal recommendation to the Nimba County Council and the decision would be reached during their sitting in June 2016.

He told journalists last Thursday that the naming of the stadium to honor Tomah is also owing to “his massive employment and empowerment of the youths as his way of tackling poverty in the county.”

“Floyd’s love for sports and empowerment has helped the county for over a decade; and through that, most of the youth have acquired either formal or informal education and are able to support themselves and contribute their quota to the community and the county at large,” he said.

Floyd served as chairman of the Nimba County Steering Sports Committee during the county’s double championship wins in 2010 and 2011.He is also the committee’s current chairman.

It was learned that Floyd Tomah provided funds for the building of the Sanniquellie Sports Stadium.

In response, Tomah said the naming of the Sanniquellie Sports Stadium in his honor will encourage him to do more for the county.

“I would be grateful if the Sanniquellie Sports Stadium is named in my honor. I will be impressed and more than happy. It would be like a reward to my efforts,” he said.

Floyd Tomah is the proprietor of the Jungle Water and Group of Investments and Jackie Hotels.

The head of delegation of the Ministry of Youth and Sports in the Group II preliminary rounds held in Sanniquellie, Nimba County, J. Bryant McGill, has recommended a two year ban on a Nimba County kickball player and a football player from Grand Cape Mount County for lack of sportsmanship.

The recommendations are expected to be investigated by the Grievance and Ethics Committee, headed by the Liberia National Olympic Committee (LNOC).

Bryant said the ban would also affect the players at their respective football and kickball associations.

According to reports, prior to the game between Bomi and Nimba Counties last Thursday, Nimba County kickball player Cecelia Seboe was accused of biting the fingers of a player from Bomi County, which nearly resulted in a riot between fans of the two counties.

Cecelia admitted to the biting, but said it was done in self defense during a fight.

From the preliminary investigation, Cecelia was arrested and detained by the Nimba County detachment of the Liberia National Police (LNP).

The tension packed match between Bomi and Nimba almost ended in fist fights among the players, but referee Hassan Konneh was able to put the situation under control. Konneh sent off defender Moses Quaye over a reckless foul and coach Emmanuel Cooper and substitute goalie Boima Johnson for insults and incitement of players. The game ended 2-0 in favor of Nimba, who emerged as Group II leaders.

Avvording to reports, Grand Cape Mount County player Fahnbulleh nearly kicked a ball boy for wasting time to hand him a ball during their derby against Maryland.

Grand Cape Mount County convincingly whipped Maryland 5-3, but didn’t qualify owing to low points. Maryland, however, joined Nimba with four points.

There were no reports from Zwedru, Kakata and Buchanan before going to press.

The President Pro-tempore of the Liberian Senate, Armah Zolu Jallah has contributed handsomely to the Gbarpolu County Sports Meet, and to all 15 participating counties.

Senator Jallah who hails from Gbarpolu County donated LS$50,000.00 to the steering committee of Gbarpolu County Sports Committee headed by Mr. J. Wasuah Gbarfur, as his contribution for county’s participation in the ongoing County Meet.

Pro Temp Jallah, himself an ardent football lover and an oldtimer, also presented 60 footballs to the technical committee of the 2015 National County Meet for distribution to all 15 counties (4 balls each county).

Pro-tem Jallah believes that sport is a medium that brings people together and provides them the opportunity to reconcile a bitter past and induces unity.

Senator Jallah challenged members of his county’s various sporting disciplines to strive for excellence and take pride to their kinsmen in Gbarpolu.

“In football, the mathematics of 2+2 cannot always equal four (4). Many will look at you as the under dogs, but your duty is disprove them and deny them the fulfillment of that notion.”

He then admonished all participating counties to display discipline, good sportsmanship, and above all unity and reconciliation which serve as the hallmarks for a successful competition.

“If necessary, we must all stoop to conquer,” Senator challenged the athletes.

Already, Gbarpolu has started the Meet on positive footing, thrashing Montserrado County girls 13-10 points, while Gbarpolu boys narrowly edged out Montserrado 1-0 in football.

A former US Collegiate soccer player, Octawie Tah has launched a youth sports academy, aimed at training and teaching children from ages 8 – 14 years, to reach their potential in sports, including education as well as providing them with confidence, promoting peace and teamwork.

The NationOne Sports Academy, with the vision is under the motto: “We are who we are.”

According to Tah, the NationOne Academy is a non-profit organization (NGO) whose mission is to provide Liberian youth the chance to attend school and extend their education – a chance they may not have otherwise.

He said recruitment for the children would be done soon all over the country, including villages where the level of education is not high.

National Director J. Melton N. Yoko and Chairman Rev. Samuel Enders in separate remarks said the academy cost about US$190,000 and would be erected with staff and guest facilitators.

“Once admitted to the program, these special students will live at the NationOne facility where the staffs will able to care for them. We will help every aspect along the way and teach them life skills in the classroom and on the field,” Yoko said.

He added: “NationOne Academy is being established in Liberia to discover and nurture future role models. We provide young, talented Liberians the opportunity to achieve their potential and the capability to claim a better future. The Academy will focus on the development of student athletes through education, sports and character development.”

Rev. Enders said: “The objective is to develop high performance student athletes, capable of building successful careers as a professional. We aim to develop student athletes with good education and sound character. We believe our graduates will be Liberia’s future.”

President Tah indicated: “With the help of foreign partners and our own people, including the government we will provide a balanced education guided by the objective of developing critical, engaging minds, capable of achieving academic success and understanding its application to life beyond classroom.”

Tah added: “We will deliver a combination of local and international curriculum, with a range of cores subjects, including English, Math, Science, French, Development Studies, PE and History as well as provide a graduate pathway for students with strong academic potential to have the opportunity to further their education.”

A friendly soccer match in Nimba District of Yarwin Mensonnoh on December 25 turned bitter after a goalkeeper died from injury.

According to Radio Kehgheamah Morning Breakfast show on December 28, goalkeeper Winston Paye of Mensonon Garr met his demise after he collided with a player from Bong County and sustained a head injury which led to bleeding, who later died.

The two men went into the air for the ball in the defense of Mensonnon Garr. The report said Bong County team’s player, identified as Jefferson struck the forehead of goalkeeper Winston.

The two teams were playing to commemorate the donation of a ferry by Rep. Mantinokay Tingbahn to enable residents have easy access to neighboring towns in Bong County.

The ferry is to be used for crossing the St John River between Nimba and Bong counties.

The Grand Bassa County Sub-Association of the Liberia Football Association (LFA) has suspended and fined seven 3rd Division players and a coach.

According to a communication signed by Secretary Moses D. Hayes, Sr. and approved by Chairman Jeremiah B. Johnson, the players are from Gbehzohn PRO FC in Lower Harlandsville Township outside Buchanan City.

The players have been suspended for one year for attacking center referee Emmanuel Gaye during a match between their team and Fairplay FC at the Doris Williams Sports Stadium recently.

The players are Reuben B. Frank, Emmanuel Tarley, Philip Roberts, Junior Gibson and Leroy Simpson.

The club is also fined $10,000LD for bringing the match to a standstill, and it is responsible to pay for missing and damaged items.

The items included 2 fox forty whistles at the cost of $30 USD, a set of referee’s cards at the cost of $15 USD, Medical bills for Referee Gaye at the cost of $1,500LD and window glasses broken by Player Junior Gibson from the VIP which cost $40 USD. Gibson has denied the charge.

Also two players of Western Lion F.C of Lower Harlandsville Township, Daniel Kpehe and Sequence Freeman were also suspended for one year. They attacked center referee Sylvester S. Sayon during a match between Fashion FC and Western Lion FC.

In another development, Coach Abraham Harrington of Fashion F.C. was suspended for six months for insulting center referee Sylvester S. Sayon during a match between Fashion FC and Western Lion, recently.

The action exhibited by the suspended players and the coach as well as their clubs contravenes LFA’s Rules and Regulations, chapter 18, Article 1, Section 1.5a and Section 1.7 respectively.

Accordingly, section 1.5a states that any official who shall assault a match official or LFA Official before, during and after a match shall be suspended for one year for the first offense and pay all expenses incurred by the match official or LFA official and 18 months for the second offense.

Section 1.7 also states that a club player, officials or member of a club who shall encourage or authorize the team to abandon a match or bring a match to a standstill shall be fined $10,00LD and be suspended for not less than one year and not exceeding two years.

The suspension of the seven players and coach started September 28, 2015 and will expire September 28, 2016.