For many years Liberian sportsmen have found it difficult to fall back on any support system that would ensure their sacrifices for their country were worth it.
Liberia’s foremost goalkeeper, Boye Cooper, died in a refugee camp in Nigeria, unsung.
Another ex-national team goalkeeper, Paul Dadzie was visiting Liberia from the United States, when tragedy struck him. Reports said there were not enough funds to have gotten him to what is described in Liberia as ‘good’ hospital for medical treatment, and he died unsung.
During the early stages of the Liberian civil-war, LPRC-Oilers’ remarkable coach, George Taylor suffered a stroke and assistance came from the Liberia Football Association, George Manneh Weah and Jonathan Sogbie.
It was the legendary king of the turf, George Weah who used his personal resources to send him to seek medical help in the Ivory Coast. Jonathan Sogbie also assisted him financially.
Worried about its role in the welfare of players, the Liberia Football Association (LFA) organized the best out of three soccer competition between Invincible Eleven and Mighty Barrolle, and the proceeds partly benefited the ailing coach.
Presently, the former national coach who led Liberia to its first African Nations Cup competition in 1996, Wilfred Kiljani Lardner is reported to have suffered, for the second time, a stroke, and there are fears of his survival, unless urgently financial supported is provided.
The saddest part is that there are not enough funds to cater to the ailing coach who is said to be in coma at a hospital in Monrovia, and unless there is a miracle, tragedy may hung in the offing.
“We are working to change this trend,” said the founder of PRO-USA, Duannah Siryon, in a telephone interview with me from his base in Minnesota, USA. “Liberia should be able to respond to the needs of athletes in distress and all those who have served the country in diverse ways.”
In fact several years before the war, player Abraham Krangar injured one of his eyes playing for the national soccer team, and was abandoned to his fate. He was losing his eye-sight, and his plea for help fell on death ears.
Though Krangar’s mother club was the army team, Defense Invaders, nothing was done for him, and he cried out countless times for help.
“We should change such an attitude if Liberians will give off their best for their nation,” Siryon said, “PRO-USA is being developed to provide a way to assist in that direction.”
He said a mass meeting is planned for May 17 and Liberians and their friends in the Minnesota area should attend to get the organization off the ground.
“We should not fail to do what we should do for our people,” he said, “PRO-USA will serve the interest of all athletes in Liberia.”
“Our athletes are our priority in the new ground we are breaking,” he said, “we are asking for the total support of every Liberian who is able to support the effort.”
It is also to be noted that before the civil-war (1989-2003), Liberian ex-soccer players in the United States would travel to Liberia under the aegis of DUBOR USA soccer team. The team would play series of matches to reinvigorate their commitment to the game and help other local players stay afloat in a tough economic climate.
In addition to athletes who are in dire need for assistance, there are many Liberian sportsmen who had sojourned to European, African and Asian countries and who could not make use of their resources and are as poor now as when they began their careers.
Reports indicate many of them are roaming around in Liberia, and would travel to play in Asian leagues and return home poorer.
“PRO-USA is coming in to fit in, and to play a role that will provide some direction to athletes to help themselves,” Siryon said.
One of the leading sportsmen needed to support PRO-USA is no doubt legendary soccer king, George Manneh Weah, who once organized and funded a semi-professional soccer team, known as Junior Professionals in the Liberian first division league.
As a retired soccer star, there is no doubt he would provide an inspiration for those young and active in the game, who are making some money but are not looking at their future with confidence. These players come in contact with charlatans who claim to be managers, only to dupe the players of their hard earned incomes.
With Weah’s experience, he could provide, through PRO-USA, a support or a financial advisory to educate the young ones about the dangers of criminal managers and how to avoid them.
“Mr. Weah is aware of the existence of PRO-USA,” Siryon said, “he has provided his moral support and we are hoping he would make a profound presence in the organization.”
Mr. Siryon’s hope is reinforced by the outstanding track record of Mr. Weah---one-time United Nations sports ambassador to youths of the world and Liberia’s foremost soccer ambassador—positions Mr. Weah applied to elevating sports to a new height in a Liberia he reserves so much love for.
“This is the time we think his services are needed,” Siryon said, “as a retired soccer star he can do more for us in the area of raising funds and encouraging international sports bodies to partner with us.”
Siryon said there are many sportsmen whose sacrifices to Liberia deserve to be honored, and it is the commitment of PRO-USA to find a way to recognize their efforts.
He was delighted to add that the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf government is fully aware of PRO USA. The government of Liberia through the Ministry of youth and Sports has given us its fully moral support.
“We at PRO-USA appreciate Youth Minister, Hon. Etmonia Tarpeh’s encouragement to this effort,” Duannah Siryon said, “we can assure her that together we can lift Liberian sports and sportsmen to another level.”
Mr. Siryon: “I’m extending PRO-USA’s compliment to Mr. George Weah, the Government of Liberia, LFA, Youth and Sports ministry, as well as and individual and organizations who made our first visit to Liberia a success.”
“We at PRO-USA are committed to the reconstruction and development process of Liberia with emphasis in sports and we hope Liberian organizations in the Diasporas will take on other initiatives including transportation, health and education.”
A May 17 mass meeting at African Foods Market & Deli (KWAKU STORE), Crystal, MN 55429 will be chaired by former soccer star, Jeff Doe. And Siryon hopes those members attending the meeting would conclude their discussions, make a review of documents and build on plans for a possible December visit to Liberia.
