The NEWS (Monrovia)
Tewroh-Wehtoe Sungbeh
13 August 2008
opinion
Monrovia — If one were to take a random poll of soccer enthusiasts in Monrovia about the most dominant player ever to grace the Liberian sports scene over the years, probably George "Oppong" Manneh Weah would be selected unanimously.
Oppong, once a poor kid, grew up in the swamps of Gibraltar near Clara Town in the nation's capital, Monrovia. His spectacular rise to global stardom and the positive impact he has on his people and the sport are incredibly remarkable. The millionaire soccer star is hardly carried away by fame and fortune. Oppong does impact the soccer-crazed nation of Liberia that barely gets enough of Weah.
Refusing to be exploited and subjected to the ilk of injustice his predecessors suffered, George "Oppong" Manneh Weah left Liberia for the sports market. What has happened since his departure is history. Great history at that!
A class act, he has been there countless times financially for his country. Whether he is called upon by his fellow citizens to rescue the Liberian Lone Star National Team from the brink of embarrassment, or to micromanage the failed and redundant sports bureaucracies as the Liberian Football Association (LFA), and the Ministry of Sports, Weah has provided profound and redeeming leadership. Whether it is preparing the national soccer team for scheduled international matches, providing needed sporting essentials, or being a mentor for truly disadvantaged children emulating him, Weah has always been there.
However before Weah's meteoric rise to fame, he had a model who also played soccer. That model was imitated by would-be players in Liberia, including Oppong. Certainly had this fellow played in the 1990's he would have dominated soccer magnificently in Liberia like he did in the 1960's. Were he alive today, Oppong's model would have ranked as one of the world's best.
Wannie Bo-Toe was soccer when the sport was just getting popular in Liberia's dark ages of the William V. S. Tubman administration. Then, soccer players were only seen as mere commodities. Players fended for themselves and were urged to play hurt and sick only to inflate Tubman's super-ego under the pretense of national pride.
But the name Wannie Bo-Toe may come not to the minds of many now, especially the young generation, who never saw Toe perform majestically. Like Weah, Toe could break down the defense of opposing teams with his dazzling footwork and unmatched prowess which shocked to awe fans and colleagues alike.
Like Oppong, Toe rose from humble roots, dreaming of playing soccer. Both Weah and Toe share similar roots. They started their career in deserted backyards and in the streets. Many days, they played barefooted; at other times, they had to borrow shoes from pals to play soccer.
Decades apart, Oppong and Toe played soccer in different times and dissimilar circumstances. Both played the sport with great supporting cast of superb athletes and unsung heroes as John "Monkey" Brown, Josiah Johnson, Jackson Wiah, Mass Sarr, James Debbah.
Wannie Bo-Toe, the forgotten hero, played soccer with passion on a field named after Tubman's wife, Antoinette -- a non soccer player. Oppong also played the game on both the Antoinette Tubman Stadium and the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex.
The latter sports complex was named in Doe's honor because Doe is said to have supported football staunchly as president of Liberia. But how can a national sports stadium - a national institution of that kind be named after a man who brought shame and disrepute to the people of Liberia by his dictatorial policies? Are we so forgetful of our past, and battered so much that we hate ourselves and have to name a stadium after our former oppressor?
I am not a fan of Weah's politics because I believe he does not understand politics and is not a presidential material, either. He ought to get out of politics and concentrate his efforts on those things he is good at doing. Weah knows what he is good at and ought to dig deep down into his soul and find that particular thing, but it is not politics.
However, that does not mean that this man cannot be recognized on the national level for his contribution to sports, and for inspiring others to pursue their dreams and be somebody.
Wannie Bo-Toe died over three decades ago at a young age from injuries he sustained at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium while playing the sport he loved.
Toe brought joy and inspiration to the young and old, the poor and the rich, and had done a lot for Liberia by putting Liberia on the map at a time when soccer players were seen as non-role models. And so has Weah. It is about time national policymakers and ordinary Liberians do the right thing to honor Toe and Weah.
In that process, renaming the Antoinette Tubman Stadium and the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex after Wannie Bo-Toe and George "Oppong" Manneh Weah respectively would be the right thing to do.
Wannie Bo-Toe and George "Oppong" Manneh Weah are legends. More may emerge. Until that happens, Liberians need honor Toe and Weah for having brought pride and dignity to their country on the international sports scene, gracefully.
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I SALUTE YOUR COMMENTS ABOUT MAINTAINING THE NAME SKD, YOU SOUND LIKE REAL AND PEACEFUL LIBERIAN CITIZEN.
IT IS TIME THAT WE LIBERIANS NEED TO SEE THE REALITY OTHER THOSE WE CLAIMED TO BE OUR HEROS. A HERO IS A PERSON WHO FIGHTS A JUSTICE CAUSE AND WINS A SINCERE BATTLE.
OH MY PEOPLE, LET'S NOT FORGET THOSE THAT REALLY STOOD THE TEST REAL TEST OF OUR TIME. I BELIEVED WITH ALL PRESIDENT DOE SHORTCOMINGS, HE WAS A LEADER WHO ANYOTHER LIBERIAN CAN BE PROUD ABOUT WHEN IT COMES TO OUR SOCCER TEAMS MOST ESPECIALLY THE NATIONAL TEAM. WHY SHOULD CAN SOUND LIBERIAN OR HUMAN SUGGEST THAT THE STADIUM SHOULD BE NAMED AFTER WEAH, WHAT A GREAT SHAME.
WEAH MAY HAVE BEEN SEEN AS A HERO BUT IN REALITY, EVERYTHING HE WAS DOING WAS AT THE EXPENSE OF THE LIBERIAN PEOPLE. WEAH DIDN'T DELIVER WHAT ACTUALLY A HERO MAY HAVE ACCOMPLISH.
HOWEVER, LITTLE EDUCATION IS A POTENTIAL RISK TO THE SOCIETY. PLEASE LIBERIANS, LET'S REMEMBER PRES. DOE FOR HIS EFFORTS TOWARDS OUR NATIONAL TEAMS ESPECIALLY SOCCER.
The suggestion that SKD Sports Complex outside Monrovia be renamed is not only foolish, but divisive at this point of national reconciliation. Liberians needs to wake up from their slumbers and embrace those ideas that not only bring us together as a people, but cherish those of our leaders who have ably served Liberia. Doe was a great leader who contributed enormously to the upliftment of Liberia on the international sports scene. I am sure that Weah being a sport icon he is today will credit his glories earned to the late Doe leadership in Liberia.
If the desire is to honor Oppong, and whoever the author's desire, I will suggest that he lobby the Liberian government to erect a monument of any kind in honor of any Liberian icon. To suggest that the SKD Complex be renamed is not in the interest of national reconciliation that Liberia need at this time. King George is loved by all Liberians, but certainly, we cann't errode the name and image of another great Liberian to honor another.
Thanks, and long live Liberia, long live the SKD Sports Complex.
The suggestion to re name the SKD complex is a futile time consuming concept. Drop the idea quickly. The creator should find something else that will at least put food on the table.
I join the other writers to reject the idea of re-naming any aspect of our national history and pride to please anyone regardless of their standing in society. What Liberia needs right now is national healing and fresh ideas to enable us at least compete with nations within our sub region many of whom are far ahead of us in terms of infrastructural development despite being years younger than our country. I would suggest the establishment of a national sports village to be named after whomever the Liberian people choose. The idea that every time there is a change politically, we should change names of basic national symbols is not only unproductive to the national reconciliation being sought but ludicrous. Are you suggesting that after Mr. Weah, succeeds in becoming president and after he leaves office, we should then replace his name with another sports hero of the day? I guess not; there are many new ideas that we can come up with to honor Mr. Weah and other national heroes. Please let’s not forget that what affects and/or offends the few could hurt the majority as well. Do you remember the saying, “Town trap is not for rats alone?” Think about something else my friend. J. Momo Wilson U.S.A.
I outrightly reject the idea of renaming the Samuel K. Doe Complex for whatever reason. Sergeat Doe was a corrupt, illiterate soldier who by mistake found himself at the helm of state power with a report card of bad governance and dictatorial tendencies. However, the corrupt sergeant was a lover of sports, particulary, football. He even built his own football field behind the Executive Mansion, created and named his football team the "Executive Lions."
I recall when Liberia defeated Egypt at the S.K.D. complex, and was now scheduled to play Kenya, the Master Sergeant,happy over his country's victory and after downing several cans of Budweiser beer,in his drunken stupor, boasted to the ELBS radio commentator that Liberia would defeat Kenya. He yelled out, "who is Moi?" in apparent reference to the Kenyan leader, Daniel Arap Moi. Because of this diplomatic blunder Liberia lost the game in Kenya.
Now to the the Oppong issue. If Oppong wants a stadium to be named after him let him forget about politics and build h own. He should follow the footsteps of United States basketballer Dikembe Mutombo who built a modern hospital in his country, the Republic of Congo (former Zaire). When you achieve greatness, wealth and fame internationally,you should let some of your wealth translate to your home country as Dikembe did. Oppong, build your stadium or your own hospital and forget about the presidency. Sports, not Politics is your area of training.
I agree with the writer. Rename the Stadia to reflect the names of our Football Legends. This new Liberia must learn to do things the New Way and forget the Old Way because the old way has brought us nothing but mayhem.
If we are going to build a 21st Century Liberia that is on par with the rest of the civilized world, we need to embrace 'Structure'. Structure begins with defining categories and organizing objects, events, stories, and situations by category.
Presidents belong to palaces Sports Icons belong to sporting arenas ...etc, etc.
See all comments (14).
The suggestion that SKD Sports Complex outside Monrovia be renamed is not only foolish, but divisive at this point of national reconciliation. Liberians needs to wake up from their slumbers and embrace those ideas that not only bring us together as a people, but cherish those of our leaders who have ably served Liberia. Doe was a great leader who contributed enormously to the upliftment of Liberia on the international sports scene. I am sure that Weah being a sport icon he is today will credit his glories earned to the late Doe leadership in Liberia.
If the desire is to honor Oppong, and whoever the author's desire, I will suggest that he lobby the Liberian government to erect a monument of any kind in honor of any Liberian icon. To suggest that the SKD Complex be renamed is not in the interest of national reconciliation that Liberia need at this time. King George is loved by all Liberians, but certainly, we cann't errode the name and image of another great Liberian to honor another.
Thanks, and long live Liberia, long live the SKD Sports Complex.