Monrovia – The manager of non-division football club, Manden United FC, has appreciated Mr. Arie Van Den Berg for his support to the club. Recently, he paid tribute to the Netherlands-based philanthropist, Mr. Berg, for numerous contributions Berg has made to his team.
Report by Macaulay [email protected]
Berg, an entrepreneur, is presently the Chairman of SV Heinenoord FC, a second division team based in The Netherlands, Europe.
The Dutch entrepreneur is a father of three: Tione Van Den Berg, Anthal Van Den Berg and Hugo Van Den Berg. All three of them presently play for their father’s team, SV Heinenoord FC.
The owner of Manden United FC, Meneh Y. Sheriff said he decide to pay tribute to Berg because the Dutch entrepreneur helped his team with more than 10 set of jerseys, 20 footballs, training materials, player bags, drinking cups, football hose, etc.
Sheriff, himself is a former defender, who had once played for former first division teams Fulani FC, Sunjonter Warriors FC and Devereux FC.
Sheriff’s first, second and third consignments of the football equipment arrived in January, March and September 2018.
Sheriff: “Before the coming of those sporting equipment, my team had only a set of jersey. Our lack of sporting equipment at the time caused serious setback to the team. But today, we are very pleased that we don’t only have quantity of sporting equipment but also quality of equipment’s that is helping us to train our youth who have passion for the game.”
Berg also sponsors Gulu United FC, a football team, in war-affected Northern Uganda. He hopes to help rehabilitate youths through sports especially football.
A young and talented Ugandan footballer, Nyero Joseph, plays for SV Heinenoord FC.
Manden FC was founded in August 2017 in the Billimah Community on Bushrod Island with the hope of helping to develop the minds of youths who have passion for the game and are ready to be part of the team.
Sheriff also thanked Mohammed Sumario, a Liberian based in The Netherlands through whose help he got in contact with Mr. Berg.
“Mr. Sumario is a true brother not only to me but also to all Liberians based on the opportunity he has opened for the future football competitors of our beloved country Liberia. I promised never to misuse any support that might come from Berg but to use it for the intended purpose.”
He revealed that Sumario currently works with the Dutch Football Federation and has a Coach C Lesson.
According to him, Sumario’s son, Kemoh Sumario, plays for the Dutch under-16 football squad.
Sheriff disclosed that based on the support his team is now getting from Berg, they are preparing to register as a third division team for the 2018/ 2019 Liberia Football Association (LFA) national league.
“Since we received our equipment, we have played three friendlies: two with LFA first division side NPA Anchors. We settled to a 4 all-draw, while another LFA first division side, Keitrace FC defeated us 5-1 in our third friendly. We are going to play more friendly games as we continue our preparations for the Third Division League.”