Monrovia – The 2023 Awards Committee of the Liberia Football Association has responded to concerns by introducing the Orange 2nd Division Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award. This decision was made due to growing concerns from stakeholders who believed that players from both the First Division and Second Division couldn’t fairly compete for the same MVP award.
By Christopher C. Walker
Nimba FC’s Secretary General, Ike Moore, expressed his dissatisfaction, stating that it was unjust for Second Division players to compete against those in the top flight for a single award. Moore highlighted that nominated players from the Second Division often faced an uphill battle in securing the MVP award due to the extensive publicity received by top-flight clubs. He emphasized that if a Second Division player did manage to garner enough votes to be named MVP, it might be perceived negatively that a player from the second league was deemed the best player in the country.
Moore firmly argued that the two leagues were distinct and should each have their MVP awards, just as there were separate accolades for the best defender, coach, and goalkeeper. He urged all LFA Second Division clubs to abstain from voting in the upcoming LFA awards.
However, Committee Chairman Cllr. Cole Jeror Bangalu addressed these concerns during a news conference on Monday, August 28, 2023. He explained that, instead of the Second Division jointly competing with the top tier for the MVP award, the LFA had decided to separate the awards following some technical adjustments.
Chairman Bangalu clarified, “The category of MVP in the 2nd Division has been reintroduced, but unlike the 1st and Upper Women’s Divisions, the winner will receive a cash prize.”
The awards committee also revealed that the nomination period for MVPs would commence on August 28 and conclude on September 8. Voting for the MVPs would begin on September 11, 72 hours after the nominations closed on September 8.
In another development, Cllr. Bangalu announced a temporary suspension of the Fans of the Year awards until the next term when it would be recalibrated.
The top five contenders for the nomination of the 2nd Division MVP were named as Momo Blamo and Abraham Kamara of Tony FC, along with H. Dah Weah and Levi Gardea of Paynesville FC, and Global Pharma’s James Richardson. Three players would be shortlisted after coaches, players, and journalists submitted their nominations.
Co-chairman of the committee, Benita Urey, also clarified that the new date for the award ceremony was set for Friday, October 6, in place of the previously announced date of Saturday, October 7. “I think the chairman has said it all, except that I want to re-emphasize here that the new date for the award is Friday, October 6,” Miss Urey emphasized.