Beach Soccer Introduce in Liberia

Beach football is expected to be introduced here not in the too distance future. Papie Jones, Coordinator for the would-be Liberia Beach Soccer in Liberia said the game is gaining some momentum among the youthful population.

He said the new sport will next month hold its first tournament with 8 clubs registering to participate. He said before the tourney, there shall be a 2- day workshop for coaches and officials of would-be participating teams.

Jones said the tournament will have two phases and will be held at the Mama Point and West Point beaches. Teams expected to partake are Ambassador FC, PHP FC, Monrovia City Star and Sinkor Ocean Star. Others are Power Pile FC, BUSA Quarter FC, and 24th Street Defenders.

“The league will accept players from both the national football league and non league players. Because the  aim of the tournament is to spot players  to build a national team that will join the fight to earn a slot at the 2011 Beach Soccer World Cup  to be held in Ravenna, Italy”, Jones noted.

Carr High Wins Handball Championship

Carr High School last Friday won the Liberia National Handball Association High School league tournament held at the Sports Commission in Monrovia. The 8 schools’ tournament saw the Carr High School becoming victorious over her counterpart, Sarah Barclay High School 15-2 goals.

While in game two, Matilda Newport Junior High beat Slipway Junior High school all in the junior female final divisions 10-2 goals. In the Junior High division male final game, Matilda Newport Junior High whipped Slipways Junior High 22-11 to be crowned champion in the junior high division.

Also in the Senior High male division, Garrison Wilmot Gibson High School known as G. W. Gibson High walked away with the championship trophy having defeated John Wulu High School 25-21 goals.

In an interview with this paper, Mason Seweler, president of the Liberia Handball Association said he was grateful that the league ended successfully. He said the closing programme of the tournament will formally be held on 21 April this year but he did not state where. Meanwhile the Liberia National Handball Association scouted about 22 players for a try out with the national team.

Liberia Internationals in Action

Three Liberia’s internationals, Patrick Doeplah, George Baysah and Gizzie Dorbor were in action at the weekend in the Israeli league. Striker Patrick Doeplah and George Baysah helped their club, Hapoel Kfar Saba, to a 1-0 away victory on Friday against Sekktzya Ness Ziona FC. Their club is 2nd on the league table with 53 points.

While Gizzie Dorbor’s club Hapoel Herzliya FC advanced fourth place on the table after beating his former employer, Maccabi Iron Bat Yam 2-1 during an away game last Friday. Ben Martin and Amos Kollie are expected to be in action today (Monday) for Hapoel Nazareth Illit FC against Hapoel Ra’anana FC.

In Turkey, Jimmy Dixon’s Manisaspor pulled a 2-1 away victory against Kayserispor FC on Friday. The win increased their points to 31 lifting them to 11 spot on the table.

However, Dixon did not feature in last weekend game due to four yellow cards he received. Still in Turkey, Tonia Tisdell who is playing on loan with Mersin Idman Yurdu was in the club 2-1 loss to Kayseri Ecriyesspor on Saturday. In Greece, Dulee Johnson’s Panetolikos earned 3 points on Sunday having beat  Veria FC 1-0 at home  to increase tally to 55 points behind league leader,  PAS Giannina FC.

In Kenyan, Freeman Mulbah side Thika United earned her first win of the season on Saturday against Karuturi Sport at the Thika Park.  Abraham Cokie’s FC Leopards fell 2-0 away to Tusker during their first league match on Feb-27 at the Nyayo Stadium.