LBF New Officers Inducted

The newly elected officers to handle the affairs of Liberian Basketball were last weekend installed into office. The inducted President, T. Rufus Anderson  promised  Liberian basketball fans a better and transformed basketball era in Liberia during and after his leadership. Anderson also promised to leave behind a workable blue print for his successor to follow.

“It is nothing to search for; it is visible and clear how poor basketball foundation has been in the country. We are ready to withstand the challenges and make the basketball arena very conducive. Liberians are very significant in this progress of reform and transformation. It is not going to be an overnight process, but  committed efforts from all partners,” Anderson urged.

Others inducted office were Abraham Samukai, Vice President for Administration, Brue Quaye, Vice President for Operations, Aklayiah Andrew, Financial Secretary, Vanii Baker, Treasure, as well as Rev Jacob Bile, Chaplain, among others.

They all promised to ensure time and services to the transformation process. They were recently elected by members of the Liberia Basketball Federation following a long-standing dispute over the appointment of the first commission to conduct the election.

Former President Gbor Wilson was accused of unilaterally appointing the commission by some members of the Executive Committee, including the new President who was then Vice President to Mrs. Wilson.

He and others were also accused of undermining former President Wilson who was the only female in the leadership of the LBF. The conflict attracted the intervention of the National Olympic Committee of Liberia and Ministry of Youth and Sports. The intervention of the Youth and Sports Ministry occasioned a common ground, following which the electoral process preceded.

A Kenyan premiership side, Thika United, yesterday finally signed two Liberian players on an undisclosed deal. One of the two is Former Mighty Barrolle’s attacker, Freeman Mulbah. He put pen to paper in the Kenyan premiership for Thika United in Kenya. The player threw away Mighty Barrolle’s CAF champion’s league action to honor his tryout in Kenya.

The cost of the deal was not established, but according to reports from the club, the Liberian is counting some encouraging cash for the service. The name of the other Liberian signed by the club was not immediately disclosed, but is suspected to be a defender from local premiership side, Watanga FC.

According to  a dispatch to New Dawn Sports from Kenya, the club  was  expected release the name of other Liberian signed, before 8pm Tuesday Feb-1-2011. The club yesterday signed seven players, two Liberians and five other players from southern Africa. Last season the club finished 10th on the table with 34 points from 30 games.

Recently another Kenyan premiership club, APC Leopards signed on Abraham Cokie, a Liberian midfielder for the coming season. Kenyan coaches are beginning to build confidence in Liberian players. Liberian d Defender Alex Karmo was recently transferred from Western Stima to the Vietnam’s first division outfit, An Gaing. He was, then the only Liberian in that league.

During this season, Kenyans may witness spectacular soccer displays by these Liberians playing in their premiership. Meanwhile, Alex Whittemore and Ernest Karneh have left Western Stima FC for another deal in South Africa. The Kenyan side was unable to sign them due to huge soccer cost.

Orville Moore Scores Hat Trick

A Liberian  striker playing in the Cape Verdean league two for La Paloma was on target  last weekend  against Norter Vorte FC. Striker Orville was performing in his fourth start of the season during the club’s sixth match of their fixture. The Liberian got the match opener in the 14th minute of the game from a header.

Their opponents were able to maintain the offensive line of La Paloma in the remaining time in the first half of the away game. The second half resumed with numerous wing attacks from both sides. La Paloma’s Liberian midfielder, Kwai was outstanding in the middle, providing support for his countryman in attack.

Orville increased the tally of the game in the 67th minute from a right solo drive, after eliminating the left back, placing the ball wide right in Norte Vorte goal pole. In the 87th minute, it was an erred from Norte Vorte’s keeper when he decided to barroom a pass to him from his goal keeper that Orville intercepted and dribble him to seal the scoring sheet of the day.

According to the players’ supervisor currently on vacation in the USA, Williams Pajibo, his players  were keeping it right for a better club next season, as many top clubs were eyeing the Liberian. “Am happy with the level of output but I need more games to display for international deal,” Moore noted.

“Although the club’s first two games did not feel  my presence, as I watched from the substitute bench, I got the chance to play in the third game coming on from the bench. It was my first game in the league and I managed to nail one goal; I started in the fourth game and scored the winner; and finally yesterday, I got all three goals for my club, making me to have a starting role as my colleague, Kwai,” he explained.