The Liberia Football Association (LFA) elections in March 2010 may be so far away, but others feel it is as well so closed.
Names and camps have emerged towards who becomes the next president of the local football house to revamp the dying trend of the game.
Quite recently in Monrovia, Musa Bility, former Monrovia Black Stars wonder kid, intelligently declared his intention to contest the FA elections as president.
But as the election spirit gathers in the and around the country, a few more former footballers are coming forth with the latest being Musa Shannon, a former Lone Star winger.
Liberiansoccer.com Roland Mulbah got up with Mr. Shannon at his home in Monrovia and asked why the former Lone Star prodigy feels when given the nod at the FA he can be an instant unifier between the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the FA as well as the public.
“There is a perception among the public about the FA and analysts think that those in control are not performing in the interest of football. Some believe the current crisis between the LFA and the MYS is causing serious problem to the growth of football in Liberia.”
“But I say to you today that I am coming on board in the interest of football and will bring about processes that will see our players compete on the international scene again, and will also further partnership with the government through the MYS.”
Mr. Shannon noted that though the election is till some 11 months away, he is preparing earnestly but with caution and believes he’s the right person.
“I don’t want to blow my own trumpet, but my life style from my days with the national team of Liberia and others will speak for me.”
“Though the time is still far for the FA elections, it’s very significant for all Liberians who want to see Liberian football rejuvenate and be on par with other top rated countries in African and the world at large to part of the process”.
On the issue of the sponsorship of the national league, Musa Shannon bragged that he has International partners who are willing to lend a hand in the process and disclosed that some individuals have made eye-catching promises regarding the sponsorship of the national league.
“We’ve strategies to bring in sponsors for the league as well as television right. Teams will not themselves as mere participants, but as partners and will be able to gain something at the end”.
He empathize the condition the clubs undergo to participate in the league and pray that the situation would change after the lections.
“Our teams have suffered a lot and I think this is the time they reap what they’ve sowed over the years.
“We’ve partners who want to be of assistance to us in the process of making our league better to tempt foreign players and we’re also thinking of running a professional football in Liberia, but we must all be committed in the process. We also want to decentralize football so as to afford other kids outside Monrovia to be part of the process,” Shannon noted.
Background
Musa Shannon was born August 1, 1975 in Monrovia, Liberia. He left Liberia in 1990 due to the civil war for the United States of America where he earned a scholarship to attend Robert Morris University.
After a few years, he graduated with a degree in Business Administration and was inducted in Robert Morris University hall of fame.
He made his International debut for the senior national team of Liberia, Lone Star, and formed an integral part for the formidable “George Weah XI”.
Shannon scored his only International goal for the red, white and blue outfit, in 2001 in Accra when Liberia thrashed Ghana in the 2002 world cup qualifiers, but Liberia missed out on the prestigious jamboree just a point behind the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
Shannon had served as International scout for First Wave Sports Marketing in the USA shortly after he retired from playing active soccer.
Currently, he’s the Administrator and President of premier side - Club Azziz Kara, one of the newly formed teams making headways in Liberian football.
Pundits of Liberian football are anxiously waiting for the March 2010 elections to elect the next president of the FA who will be tasked with the responsibility of taking the country’s football to another level.
Report: Roland M. Mulbah
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