World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz, and Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf
{LINA)} – President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has said she is honored by the decision of the West African Football Union (WAFU) Congress to name this year’s regional tournament in her honor.
According to President Sirleaf, it is not just for the honor bestowed on her but a recognition of the Liberia Football Association’s leadership, the country and football enthusiasts.
According to an Executive Mansion press release, President Sirleaf was speaking in Monrovia over the weekend when a high-power delegation led by LFA President Musa Bility formally presented an official communication on the decision of the WAFU just-ended Congress held in Dakar, Senegal about the decision by WAFU to host the tournament in honor of the Liberian leader.
President Sirleaf termed the decision as a rallying cause for Liberia to reach out to the private sector and development partners to use it to the country’s advantage to develop skills, talents and sports infrastructure.
She said despite challenges faced by the national team, it was encouraging that Liberian-based club teams were out there trying to compete.
She lauded LFA president Bility and the entire leadership of the Football Association, and pledged her administration’s support in working with her colleagues in the sub-region to ensure a successful tournament.
Earlier, LFA President Bility said he was pleased to inform President Sirleaf of the decision emanating from the WAFU Congress unanimously naming the regional tournament in honor of the Liberian Chief Executive.
The LFA boss said the WAFU Secretariat’s decision was based on President Sirleaf’s leadership on the national, regional and global stage.
Mr. Bility said applications from both Nigeria and Togo posed no challenge to the Congress’ unanimous action in favor of Liberia.
The tournament commences on October 29, which coincides with President Sirleaf’s 76th birthday.
According to the LFA President, the WAFU tournament has over the last 15 years not been named in honor of any particular distinguished personality, noting that the late Togolese President, Gnassingbe Eyadema, was the last regional leader in whose honor the tournament was named.
