Today is Saturday, January 5, 2013 in Liberia. The date and time are somehow the same in Africa and most part of the world.
As we opine, Ambassador Commany Wesseh is in Harper City, Maryland County, deputizing for Her Excellency Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of the Republic of Liberia (first elected female president of any country in Africa).
Today marks the Opening Ceremony of The 2012/2013 Annual Intercounty Sports Meet. The Opening Ceremony this year is being held in Harper City, Maryland County on January 5, 2013. The display will be the first of its kind in Liberia.
President Sirleaf was expected to travel to Maryland to take the Kickoff for the Games to begin. But her proxy, Ambassador Wesseh, will carry out the Kickoff. He’s expected to say:
“And now, in accordance with tradition, I declare the Games of the2012/2013 Intercounty Sports Meet opened, and I call upon the youth of Liberia to assemble in their respective locales to celebrate the Games; Let the Games begin”
Then finally, the County Meet Flame is lit in Maryland marking the beginning of the Games of 2012/2013.
Previous to that is a parade through the principle streets of Harper City. All ball clubs across the country representing the 15 counties will be represented in their colors; Liberian youth, men, women and children will join the Parade. The Parade starts from the Harper City Hall, (the most beautiful city hall in the Country), to the shores of Old Krutown where 15 boats afloat the Atlantic Ocean with flags flapping and colors of the 15 counties being displayed as the boats ride into the gulf of the Hoffman River and the Great Atlantic. Ambassador Wesseh, Dignitaries, sports officials from the Ministry of Youth & Sports, Liberian Football Association (LFA), the 15 counties and most importantly, Sen. John Akel Ballout (Senior Senator of Maryland), Sen. H. Dan Morias (Junior Senator of Maryland, former Superintendent of Maryland, Former Minister of Internal Affairs & Former Ambassador At-Large, Republic of Liberia), Rep. Dr. Bhofal Chambers (Representative of Pleebo/Sodohkeh District), Rep. Rev. Dr. Isaac Roland (Representative Karluway District), Traditional Chiefs, women leaders, students alike and others will be standing there waving their handkerchiefs to the Athletes and the display.
If you sat on top of the Hill where the Cape Palmas Light House is situated and looking down into Harper City, you will see a daybreak City at night. Senators Ballout and H. Dan Morais have done again. They dropped in each corner of both cities (Harper & Pleebo) fluorescent lights to help in the ambiance of The Opening Game Celebration of the 2012/2013 Annual Intercounty Sports Meet.
This is time is for ballplaying. No time for politics. But why not call a spade a spade!
The two Senators have added immense color and grandeur to the occasion and showcase Maryland. They’ve been on the ground for more than two months combine. So why not give them their props? Well, everyone can do the same thing. Others are also on the ground giving moral support.
After the Parade and the display of the culture and history of Maryland, everything is concluded in The Martha Tubman Ball Park opposite the Harper City Hall where Ambassador Wesseh will take the Kickoff for the Games to begin. Thereafter, an Exhibition Match is played. At the end, a social night takes place at the Great Harper City Hall on Maryland Avenue, Middlesex. Variety of cuisine including Palm Butter, Torgbogee, Patatoe greens, Gbasajama, Jallof, Cow & goat Soup with rice, cassava, plantain, eddoes, yam and all the Liberian and African dishes one can imagine on mother earth will be served. We have our American, Philippinos, and other European visitors. They too will be served their home dishes. Following that is a Grand Ball dance in the Maryland way. Everyone will have a good time.
Then “bang!” the real games then begin around the country but in regional form.
RiverGee, Grand Kru, Grand Gedeh and Maryland counties will clash in the Southeastern Regionals. The First and Second place winners will proceed to Monrovia for the BIG ONES: Quarter, Semi & Grand Finals.
Now all the Regional games scheduled for the Southeastern region will be played in The Martha Tubman Ball Park.
Currently, RiverGee and Maryland Girls are playing. Maryland Girls (2010 & 2011 Champions) are leading RiverGee wild margin.
The Martha Tubman Ball Park is the single greatest home-court advantage in Liberian Balling. No ball club throughout the Republic of Liberia and stretching as far as the Ivory Coast has ever defeated Maryland in that Ball Park. Even though this will be the first regional games since the birth of the Ball Park in 1970, the chances of any ball club leaving Maryland unscathed is slim.
The Martha Tubman Ball Park is the balling birthplace of Ezekiel “Africa’s Best” Doe (I. E. & Lone Star), Robert Hne “Break Dancer” Clarke (I. E. & Lone Star), Simon Matha (Greatest Defender I. E. & Lone Star), George “Razor Blade” Harris (I. E. & Lone Star), Henry Brown ( I. E. & Lone Star), Kennedy Myers (Port Authority), Blanca Bowman (Barrolle & Lone Star), Stannelus Juah Jleh Mombo (Maryland Ball Club), Thomas “Gate Dublin” Bedell (Barrole & Lone Star) and many more we cannot name for lack of space and time.
I am Thomas G. Bedell speaking and working on the ground in Liberia
CHAIRMAN, SPORTS MOBILIZATION COMMITTEE
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