This year National County Sports Meet has been marred by disputes with Grand Bassa Football Team bearing financial consequences of over 2,000 United States Dollars as a fine.
In an unexpected turn of events at the ongoing 2023/2024 National County Sports Meet, the Grand Bassa County Football Team is now facing repercussions.
On Saturday, May 4th, 2024, during the highly anticipated 3rd placed match against Nimba County at the SKD Sports Complex, tensions escalated when the center referee awarded a penalty to Nimba County following a foul committed by a Bassa defender within the 18-yard box.
Refusing to continue the match in protest of this decision, the Grand Bassa County Football Team brought the game to a halt, much to the dismay of spectators and officials alike.
The Steering Committee of the National County Sports Meet wasted no time in condemning this unprecedented action, citing a blatant violation of Article 21.2 of the competition’s regulations.
Article 21.2 expressly stipulates that any county unwilling to participate in or withdraw from a scheduled match without the Organizing Committee’s consent will face a fine of Two Thousand, Five Hundred United States Dollars ($2,500.00).
Such behavior from Grand Bassa County has been deemed as an affront to the integrity of the National County Sports Meet, tarnishing its reputation and undermining its fundamental purpose of fostering unity and camaraderie among Liberians.
In accordance with the established rules and regulations, Grand Bassa County has been swiftly fined the prescribed amount, effective immediately.
Furthermore, it has been revealed that the refusal to continue the match was not without instigation.
Team Manager, Ezekiel Johnson, Administrative Manager, Victoria Geeplay, and a member of the Bassa Sports Committee, Mr. Philip Kangar, have been implicated in inciting and perpetuating this unprofessional conduct.
Consequently, they have been handed a two-year suspension from participating in any Ministry of Youth and Sports organized activities.
As Liberia endeavors to rally around the theme of “A nation united under one purpose” during this year’s National County Sports Meet, the Steering Committee, under the leadership of Chairman Cllr. Cole Bangalu, urges all Liberians, especially county officials, to uphold the spirit of sportsmanship and refrain from actions detrimental to the noble objectives of this esteemed national event.
