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PRO-USA TRIP FOR LIBERIA SET DEC. 15

---Games in Monrovia , Ganta, Gbarnga, Harbel, Kakata

By Omari Jackson

ATLANTA , DEC. 01: Lucky Liberia soccer fans! The yuletide season will be climaxed by the presence of an array of Liberian soccer players from around the world, and who are coming home to launch its 2nd Annual programs aims at providing the Country with various sporting entertainment.

At the time that sports has been facing serious setback, where it is reported that fans prefer to watch European games at the expense of local games, the temporary visit of Liberian stars around the world may provide the tonic that is lacking in the game for so long.

But some questions need to be asked. Some of the questions are: Who are those stars coming? And another is, what do they have to offer? While I may not be specific in answering the two questions, I can surely confirm that more than twenty current and former soccer players and officials, living abroad, will be arriving in Liberia, starting December 15, as part of United States -based PRO-USA, to participate in awareness games in Monrovia, Ganta, Gbarnga, Harbel and Kakata.

In a telephone interviews with former ex-Lone Star defender, Ansu Sirleaf of Philadelphia and former Junior Professional Moses Baysah of Minnesota , the following players have all confirmed their participation:

Coming from Philadelphia is Edward Dualu, who played in the maiden edition, last year. From Greece is George Boe, Dogo Wesseh is coming from Chicago, Frank Seator (ME), Francis Doe (Egypt) and Alex Brown is coming from Indonesia.

Other players are, the Doe brothers, Jefferson, (MN), and Ezekiel. And here I need to hold my peace, for a moment. Did you ever hear that Liberia once had a player by the name of ZICO? In fact he was so popular that when his sister later was recruited to join the leading female soccer team in Liberia , (Lioness FC), she had no choice when she was described as LADY ZICO.

And if I am trying your patience, then the answer is no one than Ezekiel Doe who played for St. Joseph’s Warriors and later moved on to Invincible Eleven. He was one of the exciting players in Lone Star.

It was several years later before Europe opened its arms to receive African players. Imagine what was missed?

Coming from Holland is Kolo Mulbah, known as Pelleh Oppong. Ope Myers and Tarnue Baysay will be coming from Ghana , and David Suah and Kama Kamara will join the team in Liberia from Philadelphia .

Ex-Lone Star, Kervin Sebwe will be arriving from Greece and Ben Teeklo will join the team from Israel . Did you hear that Kervin retired recently? He may have retired actively playing for the national soccer team, Lone Star, but he is still active in the game.

Responding to an email message I had sent him earlier, Kervin could not hide his admiration, saying an organization like PRO-USA, was long overdue, and on the sorry state of affairs of the game in general, Kervin could not hide his frustration.

He wrote: “Indeed, it's a shame to see what's happening to Liberia , and the continuous improvements of other African countries, particularly our neighbors. We did not take advantage to take our national team to a higher level when God blessed us with talented athletes because of the lack of organizational skills. We could have made a difference in a lot of sports if things were in place despite 14 years of war, but instead we are back to zero. It is useless trying to blame others; rather we must restructure our organizational objectives and do better. We (Liberians) must take responsibility in rebuilding our country in everything.”

On the establishment of PRO-USA, Kervin said, “I must commend you guys again for taking the lead from the USA .” He had earlier contacted PRO-USA’s Jefferson Doe, expressing his appreciation for the organization.

On deceased ex-Lone Star players, Kervin wrote, “It is a shame to see how former Lone Star players died and how they were interred.