Monrovia – Members of the Sports Writers Association of Liberia (SWAL) will cast their ballots on Saturday December 15, 2018 to elect new officials that will lead the affairs of the association for the next two years.
Report by Christopher C. Walker 00231777898224 / 00231886723075 [email protected]
The election will replace the outgoing president Roland Mulbah led administration, which will expired at the end of December 2018.
Mublah served two terms as president of the pen pushers
According to the Election Committee headed by veteran Sports journalist Ernest McCay, Hassan Kiawu as Co-chair, Vincent Yelegar and Eddie Harmon as Secretary and member respectively polling will start at 10 am at the Press Union of Liberia Office on Clay Street.
A total of 10 persons have been qualified to contest six positions.
The contestants for the presidency are current secretary general Kolubah Zayzay and former Truth FM sports reporter Varmah Kamara.
Michael Weah of Liberia Broadcasting System is contesting the Vice Presidency post against Fabric Radio Trojan Kiazulu, while Julius Konton current financial secretary of SWAL and Edwin Dolo of Insight Newspaper are the contestants for the secretary general position.
For the Assistant Secretary General position Success Minor will be challenged by Focus Newspaper Augustus Audekina Doe.
While the only Female Candidate Naomi Tappia of Truth FM and Mulbah Reeves of Liberian National Television are contesting the Financial Secretary and Chaplain position unopposed.
SWAL Election committee announced that 73 active sports writers will cast their ballot on December 15, 2018.
Saturday’s election is between two camps the integrity team which comprised of Varmah Kamara, Michael Weah, Edwin Dolo, Augustus Audekina Doe, Naomi Tappia and Mulbah Reeves.
Varmah Kamara who has not been actively reporting sports for close to a year said it is time to rebrand SWAL.
The team that wants to unseat three members of the current leadership has identified five areas of concentration if elected.
Team Varmah said they will focus on rebranding SWAL, capacity building of members, decentralization, transparency and accountability as key areas he will focus on if elected.
“SWAL has been living dead under Roland Mulbah for five years with no accountability; I want to see a new SWAL that will be counted among the powerful auxiliaries of PUL.”
“This noble institution is only active during international games which should not be, is time for change” Varmah told FrontPage Africa.
For his part Kolubah Zayzay said he wants to see a SWAL where local sports can be reported more in Liberia.
“My SWAL Dream is Decentralization making all sports reporters across Liberia a part of SWAL, Accountability providing financial updates Quarterly, regular meetings/information dissemination, Productivity making our colleagues to focus on our local events, so that our work becomes appreciative”.
“Training and empowerment seeking opportunities to provide trainings and empowering members, Welfare helping to maintain the happiness and health of our members.. being concern, Unity and harmony… brining all under one umbrella, Building and strengthening relationship with all sporting stakeholders and business entities.
According to the Election Commission, all is now set for polls, which will begin 10 a.m. and finish at 4p.m.
