The Liberia Football Association says it is holding discussions will three European based players with roots to Liberia.

The LFA in a release said these discussions are being initiated by its European based agent with instructions from LFA President Musa Bility.

The release named the three players as Inaki Williams of Athletic Bilbao, Vejabah Sakor of KVC Westerlo of Belgium, who is on loan from Italian Giants Juventus, and Douda Bortu of Norwegian first division club Baerum SK.

The LFA release disclosed that discussions between it and Spanish based Inaki Williams are proceeding in good faith and is hopeful that a conclusion could be reached soon.

The LFA said its agent based in Europe, Jonathan Adama Momolu, met with Osei Williams, father of Inaki, and the team manager of Athletic Bilbao on Saturday and held initial discussions concerning the young player’s future with Liberia.

The release said the initial discussions went well; however, concerns were raised by the father of striker Inaki Williams and those concerns are being considered seriously.

Mr. Jonathan Momolu informed the LFA that Inaki’s father wants the player to make a decision at the age of 25 on whether to play for Liberia, Ghana or Spain.

The Bilbao striker currently plays for the Under-21 team of Spain.

The LFA agent said Inaki has informed him about his desire to play for Liberia, the country of his mother.

Momolu disclosed another meeting involving the player is being planned at the soonest possible time.

In a related development, on loan Juventus player Vejabah Sakor is in the concluding stage of his discussion to play for Liberia. Vejabah, who holds Norwegian citizenship, has been in talks with Liberia over the last few months.

Football agent Jonathan Adama Momolu said the player is now convinced that Liberia is the best option for him and said once all the technical details are worked out Sakor will debut for the Lone Star.

At the same time, 19 year old Douda Bortu of Baerum SK of Norway has pledged his future to Liberia. Agent Jonathan Momolu said the young striker has assured him that he ready to play for Liberia once he gets an invitation following the conclusion of technical details. Bortu has played for Norway at the youth level.

Liberia’s travelling record in football in the 1980s was relatively fair. It was as well in the 1990s. But the 2000s have been very terrible, said former Lone Star player and coach, Josiah N. Johnson.

Coach Johnson, popularly known as JNJ, told journalists about two years ago, that owing to Liberia’s poor traveling record, Liberian coaches should and must strive for netting three points, while a point would be considered reasonable.

The former Lone Star striker and tactician said “lesser aim contributes to defeat and higher aim might be a draw.” He further argued that “football is like biscuit, which breaks anywhere.”

Probably based on JNJ’s analysis, some football fans have disagreed with BYC II head coach Emmanuel Kaykay’s announcement about his game plan objective of securing a “point in Morocco against the Kawkab Athletic Club Marrakech.”

The well-liked adage to “think big” has been overlooked by Coach Kaykay, according to Jonah Diggs and Anthony Bah, who argued that the coach should say “BYC II is going to fight to win.”

Reginald Teah and Morris Weiah also differ with the License A coach, that “BYC’s game plan is to be observant-and-defensive football to get a draw, but if the chances come, it would be converted.”

They said such tactic is not forceful when juxtaposed with the very ideology of BYC, which says “We Fight to Win.”

Fans argue that Coach Kaykay’s pattern would subject the players to fear and mistrust in their ability to whip the Moroccans.

“Let the coach change his objective of going to draw but rather going to play to win and hope to covert the all chances,” Reginald said. “He needs to change his game plan… to disabuse the players’ minds…”

They, however, expressed confidence in the players to win and should therefore go with a “single mind to win than draw.”

It may be recalled that on Monday, Coach Kaykay told journalists at the Blue Field that they are going with a “game plan to play an observant-and-defensive football to get a draw.”

He added: “Our tactical scheme would be interchangeable as 4-5-1, 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 to get our desired result.”

BYC II, Liberia’s representative to the 2016 CAF Confederation Cup, has arrived safely on Tuesday in Maroc City, Morocco to honor her first leg against Kawkab Athletique Club de Marrakech on Saturday, March 12, 2016 in the second round of the 2016 CAF Confederation Cup.

BYC II got a bye in the first round to meet Marrakech, who defeated Burkina Faso’s USFA in 5-4 in a lottery shot.

BYC 11 squad: Goalies Alpha Jalloh (captain) and Allenton Senqeh; Solomon Zeah, Prince Kennedy, Prince Nagbo, Boimah Sonii, ockoDennis Wesseh, Koffa Dougbeh, Randy Dukuly.

The remaining players include Cyrus Harmon, Chrisian Doe, Sam Jackson, Olando George, Abubakar Dunnoh, Terry Sackor, Varney Dukuly, Milton Browne and Santee Nimely.

This is BYC II’s second appearance in the CAF Confederation Cup in nine years. The ‘Go Blue Boys’ made a historic move during the first meet in 2013 to be the first Liberian football team to qualify for the second round in a CAF competition in decades.

BYC II whipped Sierra Leone’s FC Johansen in Monrovia, and pulled a pulsating and goalless draw in Freetown.

In the second round, BYC II bowed 2-1 at home to Tanzanian side Azam and drew away 0-0.

Youth & Sports Minister Saah Charles N’Tow met with ex-national footballers promising to seek their advice and that of other stakeholders as often as possible for the improvement of sports in Liberia.

Minister N’Tow held a one-hour acquaintance meeting with former players of the Lone Star Senior Football Team on Thursday, March 3, at the head office of his ministry in Monrovia.

Beyond soliciting views to boost efforts by the Liberian government to ensure Liberia’s qualification in the 2015/2016 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Tournament and improve football in particular, N’Tow assured the former players that he would endeavor to build on the good foundation of his predecessors to deliver the desired results, punctuating his remarks with his catchphrase “I will finish strong.”

Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, veteran player and one-time national team coach Josiah N. Johnson (JNJ) decried what he called Liberia’s meager yearly budgetary appropriation for sports, saying the country would not achieve much in sports unless needed funding was made available.

JNJ called for the setting up of a national veteran bureau for sports to address the welfare of former national footballers and other sports players, whom he said were in need of financial assistance.

He vowed to support Min. N’Tow’s strides to uplift sports in the country. Janjay Jacobs, another former player at the gathering, spoke of the need for the Minister to explore the possibility of providing ex-players with life skills training.

Assistant Sports Minister Murvee Gray has called on students to participate in sports at an early age to become better athletes.

Minister Gray said students, especially under the age of 14, should consider playing sports of their choice to build a better understanding of the game.

Minister Gray made the statement on Friday, March 10, when he made a special remark during the installation of the Student Council Government of the Calvary Baptist School on 18th Street, Sinkor.

He said early participation will give children the fundamental skills and techniques to become
better athletes and most likely reach their peak than people who get involved in the game above 18 years.

He named some of the sports as football, athletics, basketball, lawn tennis, table tennis, golf, kickball, taekwondo, handball and wrestling.

Other sports include boxing, chess, netball, karate, wushu and canoe & rowing.

Minister Gray told parents that allowing their children to play sports at an early age has the propensity for them to become national and international icons.

The former football referee as well as volleyball and football coach said the difficulty of quality players to represent the country and emerge champions is owing to the lack of fundamental preparations at an early age.

He intoned that if children get early preparation, they could become better athletes to represent the country and win medals.

“We want to say practicing or playing sports at an early age has better advantages that one could possibly become a star,” Min. Gray said.

He added: “Playing sports give you good health and makes you live longer.”

Assistant Sports Minister Murvee Gray has called on students to participate in sports at an early age to become better athletes.

Minister Gray said students, especially under the age of 14, should consider playing sports of their choice to build a better understanding of the game.

Minister Gray made the statement on Friday, March 10, when he made a special remark during the installation of the Student Council Government of the Calvary Baptist School on 18th Street, Sinkor.

He said early participation will give children the fundamental skills and techniques to become
better athletes and most likely reach their peak than people who get involved in the game above 18 years.

He named some of the sports as football, athletics, basketball, lawn tennis, table tennis, golf, kickball, taekwondo, handball and wrestling.

Other sports include boxing, chess, netball, karate, wushu and canoe & rowing.

Minister Gray told parents that allowing their children to play sports at an early age has the propensity for them to become national and international icons.

The former football referee as well as volleyball and football coach said the difficulty of quality players to represent the country and emerge champions is owing to the lack of fundamental preparations at an early age.

He intoned that if children get early preparation, they could become better athletes to represent the country and win medals.

“We want to say practicing or playing sports at an early age has better advantages that one could possibly become a star,” Min. Gray said.

He added: “Playing sports give you good health and makes you live longer.”

World football's battered and bruised governing body FIFA has started a fightback in the corruption crisis by attempting to recoup tens of millions of dollars in damages.

FIFA, in its position as a 'victimized institution' robbed by crooked football officials, put in an official Request for Restitution to the US Attorney's office in New York looking to reclaim over $28million for starters.

They are chasing the return of the salaries, expenses and bonuses from those 41 'corrupt' FIFA members and other football officials during their tenure in Zurich as well as the huge legal fees involved in cleaning up the organization.

The figure could rise to over $100m as the investigations by the US and Swiss authorities plus FIFA's own-in house probe uncover more wrong-doing.

FIFA also wants compensation from those accused for the damages their illegal actions have caused to FIFA's brand, reputation and business relationships.

Those named in the documents include some of FIFA's biggest rogues such as Jack Warner, Chuck Blazer and Jeffrey Webb plus Warner's sons Daryan and Daryll.

The Request papers also see FIFA admit for the first time that South Africa's $10m payment to Warner and Blazer was a bribe for World Cup votes in 2010.

Also enclosed in the file bound for the Brooklyn office of UA Attorney General Loretta Lynch are media reports of former CONCACAF President Webb, once regarded as Sepp Blatter's heir apparent, staging a lavish champagne party for his wife's 40th birthday at his Georgian mansion – bought with ill-gotten FIFA money also used to install a swimming pool – while on house arrest there.

Legal sources close to FIFA are confident their move will be successful.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said: “The convicted defendants abused the positions of trust they held at FIFA and other international football organizations and caused serious and lasting damage to FIFA, its member associations and the football community.”

The 22-page request states: “Over many years the Defendants grossly abused positions of trust to enrich themselves while causing significant harm to FIFA including huge financial loses.

“The damage done by the defendants’ greed cannot be overstated. Their actions have deeply tarnished the FIFA brand. They did violence to FIFA's principles.

“They looked to ways to line their own pockets and siphon off opportunities. They sold the power of their positions taking bribes and kickbacks in return for selling valuable marketing rights.”

In the most damning admission yet about the scale of FIFA's corruption culture, the report said: 'It is now apparent that multiple members of FIFA ExCo abused their positions and sold their votes on multiple occasions.'

Accused are Warner and son Daryan plus Blazer who all 'engineered' a $10m payment from the South Africans. Warner, who is still fighting extradition to the US from his Trinidad home, also accepted a bribe for his 1998 World Cup vote from the Moroccan bid committee.

And it's claimed after Warner resigned all his football positions in 2011, Webb picked up where Warner left in taking bribes and kickbacks for World Cup qualifying TV rights .

Infantino added: “The defendants diverted this money not just from FIFA, but from players, coaches and fans worldwide. These dollars were meant to build football fields, not mansions and pools; to buy football kits, not jewelry and cars and to fund youth players and coach development, not to underwrite lavish lifestyles for football and sports marketing executives.

“When FIFA recovers this money, it will be directed back to its original purpose: for the benefit and development of international football.'”

Many of us have heard about the declining health situation of several of our colleagues and coaches. We also regret that little or no attention was provided to help these patriotic players and coaches of this nation. My recent visit to Liberia became a turning point to bring the condition of one of our darling clubs of Liberia Football, Invincible Eleven to the attention of the world, most especially Liberians in the Diaspora and our friends.

As a result of a story regarding Experience Sayon Davies’s condition, a diverse group of sport men, including journalist held a meeting last week to help lead a campaign for the recovery of those of our brothers presently struggling with health issues. And we have launched his recovery fund drive.

We have agreed to raise our voices and become a voice for those of our fellow football players that played for Liberia; who gave everything for this nation and today are victims of neglect by the same people that once cheered them on.

Our goal is to prevent untimely deaths by mobilizing resources that will help provide recovery for them, using Experience Sayon Davies’ case as a test case. The present living condition of this one time celebrated star is appalling and deplorable and if we do not act, it will cause his early death. Obviously we cannot do this alone, and we want people of good will in Liberia to join our effort to provide Sayon with hope to get his life back.

We should give him hope and a reason to live again and tomorrow we all can be proud that we did not turn our back on our son who became a victim to a society that do not care for those who cannot afford, a society where the weak takes care of the weak and the strong continues to ride flashy cars and takes lavish vacations around the world. The strong needs to look after the weak; this is how we will build a healthy and vibrant society where everybody can reach out with compassion to those who have needs.

But those of us who are far away are touched by the fate of our brothers: Sayon Davies, Joker Wreachar and George Taylor, one time coach of LPRC Oilers and others. We want to reach out to them with compassion during their difficult times and stand by them until they can gain full recovery.

Our group has embarked on a special fund drive for Sayon Davies at this moment, to see that Sayon Davies is relocated to a suitable living environment (Two –Three Bedroom Apartment), provide him with the need to attend physical therapy and hire a nurse to assist him. We see this as our initial step in Sayon’s recovery and in the future we can arrange for him to seek medical attention in the United States. We feel God has called us to undertake this selfless initiative only to give back life and to recognize the exceptional and remarkable contribution Mr. Davies and others have made on the soccer field as these patriotic sons donned the national colors of this country, while the national anthem was sung and the Flag was raised, an occasion that befits heroes.

As I write, I know Liberians to be a generous people and without doubt, many will join our efforts to pay tribute to these one-time players and coaches as a humanitarian gesture to give them hope to live. I therefore call on philanthropists in Liberia, politicians, companies, our friends in progress, the Lebanese community, the Indian community as well as the churches in Liberia to join us. I remind all of you that we have been called to “to put the interest of others first before our own interest” which means to become selfless and take on others’ burden out of compassion. Philippians 2:5 says, “Let this mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus,” the mind to put the interest of others before your own interest (Phil. 2:4).

The members of the Sayon Davis Recovery Fund are former LPRC-Oilers coach William Tenisio Tarpeh, Benedict Wisseh (Mama Musa), Sipley Weah, Orlando Krangar, Sam Fineboy, Ansu Sirleaf and journalist Sam Larmin.

The principal of Dawah Ummah High School on 17th Street, Sinkor, Monrovia Mr. Ishmailla A. Sheriff says honesty, teamwork, fair play, and respect for others are benefits for playing sports.

Speaking at a program making the 3rd anniversary of the school’s separate sports team called the Yellow House, at the campus of the Muslim Congress High School on Mechlin Street, Wednesday he said physical education is vital to the holistic development of young people, fostering their physical, social and emotional health.

“The benefits of sports reach beyond the impact on the physical well-being of athletes and their value cannot be underestimated,” he said.

Principal Sheriff said one of the essential components of quality education is sports and said sport programs do not just promote physical activity, but also correlate to improve academic performance under specific conditions.

Sports, he said can also, under right conditions, provide health options to deviant behaviors such as drug abuse, violence and crime.

“Physical education and sports have an educational impact and this shows the positive relationship between involving in physical activity and psychosocial development,” Mr. Sheriff told the students.

He noted that these learning aspects highlight the impact on physical education in terms of the physical and health aspects of a child and his development. He noted that there is an overwhelming amount of evidence that focuses mostly on the positive effects of sports on the physical health, growth and development of athletes.

He went further to narrate that physical education and sport also build good healthy habits that encourage lifelong participation in physical activities.

“This extends the impact of physical education beyond the school and highlights the potential impact of physical education on public health,” he said.

Principal Sheriff then encouraged the students and the administration of the school to expand its sports programs with extensive focus on the development of technical skills.

He called on the secretariat and school board to compliment the endeavor of the administration as the case may be.

He noted that “the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is now using sports and play programmes to encourage young people, particularly girls and young women to attend school within the refugee camp across the world.”

UNICEF, he said, has a strong focus on using sports to campaign for girls’ education as well as promoting education through events and awareness campaigns.

Sports based programs; Mr. Sheriff told the students, have been proven to improve the learning performances of children and young people, encouraging school attendance and the desire to succeed academically, whilst majority research into the health and development impacts of sports has been conducted in developed countries.

Meanwhile, the programme was characterized with the presentation the house king queen and other colorful performance by the students.

The President of the Liberia National Olympic Committee, Philipbert Browne, says the assessment visit of the new Youth and Sports Minister Charles Saah N’tow at the Olympic Village is a step in the right direction.

Mr. Browne stated that it’s unprecedented since the erection of the Olympic Village in 2007 for a Youth and Sports Minister to tour the facilities.

He made the remarks on Thursday, March 17, at the end of the Sports Minister’s exclusive tour of the Olympic Village.

The Olympic Village is on 10 acres of lands in Kemah Town, Soul Clinic Community, Paynesville.

The LNOC boss thanked the Minister and his entourage and expressed the LNOC’s cordial relationship with the Minister.

“I can say we can assure you of 110% relationship with the Ministry,” Mr. Browne said.

He reminded the Minister that the LNOC still wants the government, through the Ministry to take over the Olympic Village.

Browne said the only precondition is for the LNOC to provide the Deputy Director to promote the programs of the OIC and the Olymp Africa Foundation.

He added that the Caretaker which has been in the employ of the LNOC must be transferred to the Ministry.

The LNOC President stated that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) provided US$120,000, while the government gave US$30,000 for the erection of the Olympic Village. He stressed that the original deed of the Olympic Village is in Dakar, Senegal at the headquarters of the Olymp Africa Foundation.

The LNOC’s Vice President for Administration, Cllr. Sylvester Rennie; the Secretary General and Assistant Secretary General, Joseph Willie and Fred Pratt, the Director of the Olympic Village, Ahmed Tukpa, Treasurer Boie Korvah and other executive members including the presidents of boxing, cycling, taekwondo, tennis and a representative from the YMCA were in attendance.

Meanwhile, Minister N’tow hailed the LNOC for the Olympic Village and said it’s comprised of lots of opportunities.

The Minister said the Village can probably be turned into a sports haven where accommodations can be erected to have high school Olympics and other national sporting events.

The Minister also said the Village can also be a business hub to generate income.

He stressed that the Ministry and the LNOC would have lots of discussions about the facilities, including the ownership and improvement of the Village.

His entourage was comprised of Assistant Sports Minister V. Murvee Gray; Bryant Mcgill, the Chief of Office Staff of the Deputy Sports Minister Henry B. Yonton and the Sports Technical Director Kelvin Sebwe, amongst others.

The construction of the Village began in 2005 and was completed and dedicated in 2007. The Village comprised of athletics’ track, multipurpose courts, football field and an administrative building.

Since then several programs have hosted by the LNOC sponsored by Olymp Africa Foundation, the OIC or ANOCA.

The calendar of event and the provisional opening fixture of the 2016 Intra-Governmental League have been finally released at the end of the draw for the groups which brought together about 20 stakeholders from the public sector.

The draw was held in the offices of the Sports Bureau in the Ministry of Youth & Sports on 19th Street Sinkor on Friday, March 18.

Technical Sports Director Kelvin Sebwe, who is the chairman of the League said the tournament would formally start on Wednesday, March 23, at 12pm on BYC Field.

He said prior to kickoff there will be a parade in the principal streets of Monrovia, beginning at 8:00am and ends at the Blue Field for an indoor program.

“Each participating institution is expected to send at least seven persons – four males and three females – to form part of the parade and the indoor program,” Mr. Sebwe said.

Former Youth and Sports Minister Lenn Eugene Nagbe, who is currently the Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism; new Youth & Sports Minister Saah Charles N’tow and Youth and Deputy Minister for Administration Dr. Nancy Freeman are expected to make special remarks.

It has not been confirmed up to press time yesterday, whether a special statement would be read from President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.

According to the opening fixture, the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) would host the Ministry of Education (MOE), and the General Auditing Commission (GAC) will meet the Liberia Telecommunication Corporation (LIBTELCO), in both kickball and football.

The remaining matches will be played in two other venues - the Antoinette Tubman Stadium in Central Monrovia and the Willis Knuckles Sports Stadium in Zubah Town, Duport road, Paynesville.

Meanwhile, according to the draw, LACC, MOE, Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Youth and Sports are members of Group A; LIBTELCO, GAC, the Ministry of Health and the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) are grouped in B.

Group C members include Ministry of Postal Affairs (MOPT), Monrovia City Corporation (MCC), Liberia Broadcasting System/ the Ministry of Information Cultural and Tourism ( since the 1980s, this is the first
recurrence of a joined team between LBS/MICAT ) and the National Social Security and Welfare Corporation (NASSCORP); while the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Judiciary (JUD), National Transport Authority (NTA) and LISGIS are members of Group D.

The members of Group E are the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC), Liberia Agency for Community Empowerment (LACE), Ministry of Public Works (MPW) and the National Elections Commission (NEC).

Group F members include the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), the Ministry of State (MOS) and the National Port Authority (NPA).

Coach Sebwe indicated that Group F is still open for any interested public institution to make it four members, and the deadline for registration is Tuesday, March 22.

Some of the notable public institutions which have not registered up to Friday include the Legislature (LEG), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), the Ministry of Defense (MOD), the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), the Ministry of Labor (MOL), the Ministry of Commerce (MOC), the Ministry of Gender, Social and Children Protection (Gender) and the Liberia Maritime Authority (LMA).

Despite the absence of budgetary allocation in the 2015/2016 National Budget, owing to shortfall, the Intra-Governmental League will still be staged as plan.

Usually, US$15,000 is allotted for the Intra-Government tournament, formerly Inter-Ministerial League - a tournament that brings together all line ministries, agencies, public corporations and other branches
of government together through various sporting disciplines.

The organizer – the MYS has confirmed that ministries, agencies and public corporations that want to compete in the tournament have agreed to register with US$500 in other to help the Ministry successfully organize the tournament.

The Ministry says the tournament plays a major role in recreation, arguing that it helps to keep public servants healthy and allow junior staff to interact with senior staff.

Nimba County District #3, comprising Gbehlay-Geh and Toah River Districts, has embarked on the construction of a sport stadium that will accommodate about 15,000 people.

District #3 Representative Samuel Woeleh told the Daily Observer that Karnplay City has over the years not had a good sport pitch, and predicated upon that, residents of the district conceded to build the stadium using funds for their legislative support project.

The project, according Rep. Woeleh, will cost US$223,000 and should have been completed earlier, but delay in getting the needed materials caused the delay.

He, however, said they are optimistic by the assurance of contractors that the project will be dedicated on July 26 of this year.

According to him, majority of the people making up the population in the district are sports lovers, who are very supportive to the project.

Furthermore, he said sports quickly bring reconciliation and unity among people, and having a stadium in the district will enhance these two social values.

He indicated that palm thatches being used to fence the field during matches brought low intake because many people would make their way in very easily.

But with the concrete fence containing stadium and VIP wings, he believes no one will pick chance to sneak on the field.

Rep. Samuel Woeleh is one lawmaker in Nimba, who upon taking office after the 2011 election suffered stroke.

As he gradually recovers, the lawmaker regrets that he could not meet up with his plan to develop his district which he believes he can still do if re-elected in 2017.

He said he served as a City Mayor in Karnplay for about 20 years prior to his ascendancy to the Representative position. He said he knows the need of the people and if illness had not stalled his plan, he would have done more to impact them.

The stadium’s concrete fence has been extensively built with only one of the four sides and the wings remained to be completed.

The General Secretary of Europe’s Football Governing body (UEFA), Theodore Theodoridis, arrives in Liberia today, Tuesday, with a two member high powered delegation.

The UEFA delegation will be in Liberia from March 22 to 23 to discuss UEFA’s cooperation with the Liberia Football Association (LFA).

The delegation is headed by Mr. Theodoridis and includes Urs Kluser, Integrity Officer, and Legal Affairs/Disciplinary Services.

A release from the LFA said the two man UEFA delegation will discuss future cooperation with the Liberian FA in all aspects of football development.

The delegation will visit the LFA Technical Center under construction in Careysburg, the future home of the LFA in Congo Town, the Antoinette Tubman Stadium (ATS) and pay a courtesy visit to President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

The delegation will then join LFA President Musa Hassan Bility and LFA Executives for a discussion before addressing the local football media.

The coming of the UEFA delegation to Liberia followed discussions held between Mr. Bility and the newly elected FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, on the margins of Feburary’s FIFA Congress in Zurich.

The LFA President reportedly played an influential role in deciding the outcome of the FIFA presidential pools.

Mr. Bility is excited about the upcoming visit and said it will help Liberia reach a higher mark in its football development program.

Ministry of Education (MOC) claimed its first win in the opener of the 2016 Intra-Governmental League at the ATS in Monrovia.

The MOE whipped the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) 4-2 in football.

In the second football derby, the General Auditing Commission (GAC) and the Liberia Telecommunications Corporation (LIBTELCO) settled to a goalless draw.

Earlier in the kickball, LIBTELCO pinned GAC 7-4 points, and LACC forfeited to MOE.

In today’s fixture, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will meet the Judiciary (JUD) in both football and kickball, as well as the National Transport Authority (NTA) and LISGIS at the BYC’s Blue Field.

Also today at the Willie Knuckles Sports Stadium (Alpha Field) on Duport Road, Paynesville, the Ministry of Postal Affairs (MOPT) meets the Monrovia City Corporation (MCC), while the Liberia Broadcasting System/the Ministry of Information Cultural Affairs and Tourism (LBS/MICAT) and the National Social

Security and Welfare Corporation (NASSCORP) will face off in both football and kickball.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Youth and Sports has appointed Assistance Minister of Sports, Murvee Gray as the chairman of the 2016 Intra Governmental Tourney.

Min. Gray in an exclusive interview said the tourney provides recreation for public staff, which in turn will give them healthy lives to increase productivity.

He said at the end of the tourney, six trophies would be given to first, second and third winners in each category.

Min. Gray urged thanked the institutions participating in the tourney for their unprecedented registration of US$500 to underwrite the cost of the tournament.

The Intra Governmental tournament, formerly Inter-Ministerial League - brings together all line ministries, agencies, public corporations and other branches of government together through various sporting disciplines.

The 2013 football finalist of the Intra-Governmental Tournament, the National Legislature, dubbed LEG would not participate in the 2016 tournament, the Daily Observer has reliable learnt.

Up to yesterday, the Daily Observer gathered that the Legislature is yet to pay their participatory or registration fee of US$500 and therefore was not included in the revised fixture.

The Chairman of the LEG Sports Association, Mr. Varney Gbessae, told the Daily Observer yesterday that they are still engaging the Chairman on the House’s Committee on Youth and Sports, Lester Paye and Senator George M. Weah, the Chairman on the Senate’s Committee on Youth and
Sports.

Mr. Gbessae said they are also hoping on the President of the Liberian Senate, Vice President Joseph Boakai, including President Pro Tempore Armah Jallah as well as House’s Speaker Alex Tyler for support for the Legislature to participate in the tournament.

The LEG Sports Chairman indicated that they have submitted a budget of US$5,000 which includes registration, players’ transportation, refreshment, jerseys among others.

“We are still hopeful that we will participate even though up to now there is no sign of encouragement of our participation,” Mr. Gbessae said.

Since the tournament began in 2008, the Legislature made her debut in 2013, and performed impressively by reaching the grand finals. Finance Ministry whipped the Legislature 1-0 to grab the football title, and Youth and Sports whacked LEG in the kickball category.

In the 2014 edition, both teams were thrown out in the preliminary rounds.

Meanwhile many of the staff members of the Legislature have called on Sen. Weah, former football icon – 1995 FIFA World Best and three times African Best Player and Legend to use his ingenuity to ensure that the institution participates.

The former Chairman of the Legislature Sports Association, Isaac G. Redd, who is also Director of the House’s Press
and Public Affairs, said the absence of the Legislature in the tourney under the chairmanship of Sen. Weah, Africa’s proudest player, would be a dishonor.

Mr. Redd further said the dishonor would also affect former Youth and Sports Minister, Commany Wesseh, who is now Senator for River Gee, as well as the Rep. Lester Paye, including Reps. Edwin Snowe and Adolph Lawrence, former President and Vice President of the Liberia Football Association (LFA) including Sen. Francis Paye, Rep. Zoe Pennoh, amongst others.

Meanwhile, at the Willis Knuckles Sports Stadium (alias Alpha Field) yesterday, Monrovia City Corporation (MCC) whipped the Ministry of Post and Telecommunication (MOPT) 10-4 points, while NASSCORP flogged the LBS/MICAT 11-2 points in the kickball.

In football, MCC defeated MOPT 2-0, and defending football champion, LBS/MICAT bowed 1-0 to NASSCORP.

The 4 weeks YMCA U-11 and U-14 youth soccer leagues are expected to begin in twelve communities; nine in Monrovia, with three teams from Gbarnga, Bong County, Kakata, and Unification Town, Margibi County.

The leagues are supported by DonamiSports USA. Its founder and CEO, Doc Lawson, former Olympian and Liberian professional soccer player in the United States met with the 12 coordinators at the YMCA on Broad Street, Monrovia, last Friday.

The coordinators agreed to begin their two separate leagues from April 16-May 7 at their various communities. DonamiSports will provide jerseys, footballs, socks, among others, to all the participants.

Trophies will also be provided by DonamiSports, according to Doc Lawson.

The coordinators agreed to establish two separate teams, one for the U-11, which comprises of ages 9 – 10 and the U-14 comprising ages 12 – 13.

The communities whose coordinators were represented at the meeting were: Duport Road, (Eleazar Dagadu and Michael Hayes); New Kru Town (Aloysius Wiah Jr); Sinkor (V. Sheriff Bonokai); By Pass (Suah Wallace); and Camp Johnson Road (Anthony Kerkula and Magnus Flomo).

The rest are Matadi (Amos Reeves); Morris Kamara (Slipway); Josiah Toe (West Point); and two representatives from Clara Town.

The remaining three are Unification Town, represented by M. Jusu Sannho; Kakata, represented by Oliver Mondoi and Gbanrga, represented by Abu Musa Sirleaf.

Lawson said it is his organization, DonamiSport’s vision to ensure that “border to border, east to west, north to south, every child in Liberia will have access to recreation soccer and clean drinking water by the end of the decade, as we share YMCA Christian values.”

He challenged the coordinators to remember their responsibilities to their various communities in an effort to inspire children to realize their fullest potentials.

Lawson told the coordinators of the importance of the YMCA in developing young people, and said his partnership with YMCA is to give him access to the most effective organizations Liberia can boast of.

Now known as Uncle Doc, the DonamiSport founder said he is passionate about giving Liberian children gifts that can transform their lives.

Uncle Doc was recently appointed as Global Goodwill Ambassador by Dr. Todd Phillips, founder and CEO of The Last Well, dedicated to eradicating water-borne diseases in Liberia by 2020.

The 2016 Intra-Governmental Tournament resumes Wednesday, March 30, from Easter Break.

The chairman of the Intra Government Tourney, Assistant Minister Murvee Gray said the tourney took a three-day break to observe the Easter.

Min. Gray – a devout Muslim, said the tournament continues at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium and the Willis Knuckles Sports Stadium (Alpha field) simultaneously.

According to the fixture, the Ministry of Health (MOH) will meet the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) while the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) will face off with the host – the Ministry of Youth & Sports (MYS) in both kickball and football on the ATS in Central Monrovia. Games start at 10:00am.

Also on Wednesday at the Willis Knuckles Sports Pitch in Zubah town, Duport Road, Paynesville, the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) will knock horns with the Liberia Agency for Community Empowerment (LACE), and the Ministry of Public Works (MPW) faces the National Election Commission (NEC) in both kickball and football, at 10:00am.

On Thursday, March 31, there would be games only at the ATS (or Blue Field) if there are no national games at the ATS, Min. Gray said.

The Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) meets the Ministry of State and the National Port Authority (NPA) takes on the Ministry of Commerce (MOC), in both kickball and football at 10:00am.

It may be recalled that in the opener, Ministry of Education (MOC) claimed first win, defeating Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) 4-2 in football.

In the second football derby, the General Auditing Commission (GAC) and the Liberia Telecommunications Corporation (LIBTELCO) settled to a goalless draw.

Earlier in kickball, LIBTELCO defeated GAC 7-4 points, and LACC forfeited to MOE.

On Thursday, at the Willis Knuckles Sports Stadium (Alpha field) the Monrovia City Corporation (MCC) whipped the Ministry of Post and Telecommunication (MOPT) 10-4 points, while NASSCORP flogged the LBS/MICAT 11-2 points.

In football, MCC whipped MOPT 2-0, and defending football champion, LBS/MICAT bowed 1-0 to NASSCORP.

On the Blue field, Judiciary whipped EPA 9-3 points in kickball, and pinned EPA 3-0 in football and LISGIS forfeited to NTA.

Team P W L D GF GA GD PTs
1 Tunisia 3 2 1 0 9 2 7 6
2 Liberia 3 2 1 0 3 2 1 6
3 Togo 3 2 1 0 4 2 2 6
4 Djibouti 3 0 3 0 1 11 -10 0

Children under ages 11 and 14 are being prepared for the YMCA-Liberia soccer leagues at 12 communities from April 16-May 7.

DomniSports of the U.S., according to retired Liberian US professional soccer player and Olympian, Doc Lawson, will provide sports materials for the tournaments.

“DonamiSports is providing all the materials for the young people so that they can enjoy playing soccer,” Mr. Lawson told the Daily Observer in an interview.

“We are providing jerseys, footballs, trophies, medals and others to make the children’s tournaments closer to their heart,” he said.

He said he intends to support several YMCA Liberia tournaments in many communities throughout the country.

Mr. Lawson is also the ‘Global Ambassador’ of The Last Well, a Christian organization, also based in the United States, working to ensure that every Liberian community has access to clean and safe drinking water by the year 2020.

Ambassador Lawson, who believes that providing equal sports recreation to young children is his greatest dream, said twelve coordinators are presently working to ensure that the two tournaments are held in one month.

The 12 communities where the young players are being groomed for the two tournaments are Duport Road, New Kru Town, Sinkor, By Pass and Camp Johnson Road, Matadi Estate, Slipway, West Point, and Clara Town.

The remaining three are Unification Town and Kakata in Margibi County and Gbarnga, Bong County.

The twelve communities are grooming both Under 11 and Under 14 teams in groups of eight and ten.

“Some of the communities are building eight teams each for either competition,” Ambassador Lawson said.

DonamiSport’s vision, Ambassador Lawson said, “is to ensure every child in Liberia has access to recreation soccer and clean drinking water by the end of the decade as we share YMCA Christian values.”

He said his relationship with YMCA-Liberia is based on the fact that it is the most effective organization Liberia can boast of in developing the youth.

Madam Elizabeth B. Daniels, mother of one of Liberia’s most promising coaches, Jenkins Doe, has died.

Madam Daniels died at her New Kru Town residence on March 26.

She was 89 years old.

According to Coach Doe, the funeral of his beloved mother is set for April 9 at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church near Twe Farm, beginning at 9 a.m.

Burial will follow thereafter at the Brewerville cemetery. Madam Daniels leaves to mourn her four children.

It was an afternoon of fun as employees of APM Terminals converged at the Myrtle Beach last Saturday to celebrate their end of year party with soccer, volleyball, checker games and music.

The entertainment also included the honoring of twenty four employees, including Julie Cole Eastman, who was honored posthumously.

Also on hand to entertain the workers was Baby Love, a Liberian musician, who announced her single album, MR. RIGHT that is coming out in a couple of weeks.

She performed three classic songs, which included her own, MR. RIGHT, which delighted the large gathering from all every department of APM Terminals.

Jonathan Armar Baxter, who led the five-aside-team to win a trophy at stake, said the celebration was a team-building exercise, using sporting games to share with each of the workers.

Baxter’s team won their counterparts 2-1, after five-five penalty kicks.

Another side won the volleyball trophy, winning 2-0 (15-7; 15-13 points).

The checker did not have any award for the players.

Meanwhile, the following workers received awards for the invaluable contribution and dedication to their work:

Wheymar Reeves for Taking Costs Out Initiative; Rony Yap, Long Service; Mourillon Kollie, Employee of the Year; Karl Gnonlonfin, Best leadership and Management; Stephen Gortor, Best Leadership and Supervision; Henry Glasgow, Front Office Star and Jusu Varney, Best Safety Behavior; Victoria Taylor, Best Safety Technical Department.

Others: Eric Kiadii, Commitment to Service along with Priscilla Flomo, Benjamin Wreh, Ebenezer Opoku, Emmanuel Moses, Wondeh Clarke, Sam Koryon, Alimata Zoe Johnson, Augustus Tarr Payne, Leon Lard, Noah Sheriff, and John Mayson.

The honorees were drawn from the various departments, including technical, marines’ services, planning and operations, gate, execution, health and safety, human resource, info tech, finance, commercial and civil-engineering.

Tomack Barclay earned the Best Driver of the Year award.

Special recognition went to the APM Terminals FC; Seth Danquah, Operator of the Year and special recognition went to Health Support Team, for its excellence during the Ebola fight.

In interviews after the ceremony, Benjamin Wreh and Tamack Barclay each expressed appreciation to the management of APM Terminals for the recognition.

Wreh said, “It is a wonderful recognition and it serves as strong motivating to us to do our best for a company that is doing so much for us.”

Barclay noted that the award demonstrates the management’s interest in its workers, and it will serve as a strong motivation.

A spokesman for APM Terminals said the companies’ workers are an important component that drives the company to success.

He added that the employees are part of a 200,000 strong in 80 countries and promised better things to come for them.