Reports gathered from Nimba County alleged that authorities in the county are opposing the Liberia Football Association’s decision to host the 2023 edition of the county electoral district league.
The governing body of Liberian football, through its Nimba Sub Association, recently announced that the 2023 edition of the biggest sporting festival in the county would be governed by them for the first time, as part of their National Districts League program.
According to reports, the authority in Nimba, especially those from the county administration, say the FA’s decision is 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.
Against this backdrop, Nimba County Inspector, Mac Gblinwon, according to sources, has been calling on local radio stations in the county, asking districts to disembark from participating in the tournament.
Gbliwon, who allegedly called on Voice of Gompa (Ganta) Radio Larwah in Tappita and other local radio stations across the county early this morning, says the LFA’s decision to run the District League this year and in the future is a total disregard to 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 is going to undermine the county’s preparation for the National County Sports Meet.
He said the county has not even announced the Steering Committee for the 2023/2024 County Meet, nor have they named a coach or technical team, so if the District tourney commences as the LFA has decided, the county will not be able to scout players to justify, and even if players are selected and shortlisted during the competition, it will be difficult for the county to keep them because the structure of Steering Committee is 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 amongst citizens from across the nine Electoral Districts and to also identify potential players who would go on to justify 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., says the County Administration should stop politicizing [football] sports. He said the LFA intends to create more opportunities for grassroots players and not to undermine the county’s preparation, as the County Inspector sees it.
Floyd further clarified that the LFA underwrites about sixty percent of the expenses for each district. He further stated that the LFA is not after money, but they rather want to see football being played across the country.
The 2023 Nimba County District League is expected to get underway August 5, 2023.
