Monrovia โ Reports coming from Nimba County say the County’s authorities are opposed to the Liberia Football Association hosting the 2023 Nimba County Electoral District league.
By: Christopher C. Walker, [email protected] 0777898224/0886723075
The governing body of football in Liberia, the LFA, through its Nimba Sub Association, informed the various districts that the 2023 edition of the biggest sporting festival in the county will be organized by them for the first time as part of their National Districts League program. However, authorities in Nimba, especially those from the County Administration, say the FA’s decision goes against the will of the people, as the tournament should be staged by the Sports Steering Committee based on the mandate of the County Administration.
In light of this, Nathaniel Tokpah, a sports journalist in the county, says the County Inspector of Nimba, Hon. Mac Gblinwon, has been a regular caller on local radio stations in the county over the past few days, asking districts not to participate in the tournament.
According to Tokpah, Gbliwon called on the Voice of Gompa (Ganta) Radio Larwah in Tappita and other local radio stations across the County, where he explained that the LFA’s decision to run the District League this year and in the future is a total disregard for the County and the people of Nimba. The County Inspector also argued that the competition is a political tournament, just like the County Meet; therefore, the LFA cannot impose their will on them as it will undermine the County’s preparation for the National County Sports Meet.
He further stated that the County has not even announced the Steering Committee for the 2023/2024 County Meet, nor have they named a Coach or technical team. Therefore, if the District tourney commences as the LFA has decided, the County will not be able to scout players to justify their participation in the County Meet. Even if players are selected and shortlisted during the competition, it will be difficult for the County to keep them because the structure of the Steering Committee has yet to be set up by the requisite authority.
The competition has traditionally been conducted by the County through the Sports Steering Committee set up by the Superintendent and is usually used to promote peace among citizens from across the nine Electoral Districts. Additionally, it serves to identify potential players who would go on to represent and play for Nimba in the National County Sports Meet of Liberia every year.
In reaction to Inspector Gbliwon, the Chairman of the LFA Nimba Sub Association, Tomah Seh Floyd, Sr., said the County Administration should stop politicizing football sports. He emphasized that the LFA intends to create more opportunities for grassroots players and not to undermine the County’s preparations, as the County Inspector sees it.
Mr. Floyd further clarified that the LFA underwrites about sixty percent of the expenses for each District. He also stated that the LFA is not after money but rather wants to see football being played across the country.
The 2023 Nimba County District Meet was earlier scheduled to start on the 28th of July, but the previous date was later pushed further to August 5, 2023. On July 14, the FA announced that it will kick off District leagues in three counties apart from Montserrado County, whose tournament was already ongoing.
The football house named Grand Bassa, Margibi, and Nimba Counties as the next three counties they have concluded arrangements with for the tournament.
The release disclosed that in Nimba, the districts will be paired into three groups, with the games being played from 28 July to 13 August. “The winner of Group ‘C’ will play the best loser from the three groups, while the winners of Groups ‘A’ and ‘B’ will meet in the semi-finals.”
“In Margibi, the five districts will play in a round-robin from 28 July to 6 August, with the top two districts meeting in the grand-finale at the Nancy Doe Stadium in Kakata at 3:30 PM on 9 August,” the release stated.
It was also disclosed that the same format used in Margibi will be used in Grand Bassa from 28 July to 6 August, with the top two districts meeting in the grand-finale at the Doris Williams Stadium in Buchanan at 3:30 PM on 9 August.
LFA competitions manager Joel Freeman told LFA media that the competitions department and committee will organize and supervise the tournaments in collaboration with the sub-associations in the counties.