By Charles Gbayor, charlesmenlor@gmail.com
HARPER, Liberia- The Maryland County Health Team in the southeast of the country has started a program to promote health through sports, with launch of a grand football tournament, in partnership with the Veterans Sports Committee.
The Health Through Sports tournament continued over the weekend in the Maryland County’s capital, Harper some 250 miles from Monrovia, under the theme, HEALTH IS WEALTH AND TOGETHER WE ARE STRONGER.
.The Health through Sports Tournament is intended to create massive awareness of Health Related Issues, which include awareness on HIV/AIDS, Malaria, among others. It is also aimed at encouraging youths in the County to take advantage of the Upcoming National County Sports Meet, as Maryland County steps up its Justification Process for both Football and Kickball Teams.
The Football Tournament will Feature eight Communities from Harper Districts specifically Harper City and these Communities are Central Harper, Old kru Town, New Kru Town, Easy Town, Hoffman Station, Tubman Town Community, Hans Street and Stadium Road Communities.
Sunday, September 29, 2019 saw Hoffman Station take on stadium Road at the Martha Tubman Sports Stadium.
In the Opening Match, Hoffman Station Defeated Stadium Road in a 2 -1 , this 2-1 victory put Hoffman station ahead stadium Road and recorded their side five time Victory over stadium Road.
Moses Kwaih #14 of Hoffman Station Score the first Goal in the tournament with a Cross from Captain Carlos Bedell #10 Netted in the 35 minute of the match putting his side in the lead and continue their lead until first half break, Hoffaman Station Winger Junior Dweh# 7 double to extended their lead in the Second half with a fabulous shoot from the eighteen yard box in the 65 Minute Josiah Mannah #14 Score for Stadium Road in the 77 Minute’s to put his side back in the Match from a Corner kick from the leg of Midfielder Spencer Juwlee .
According to the fixtures, New Kru Town Community will play Tubman Town at the Martha Tubman Stadium in the Ongoing Health through Sports Tournament on October 5, 2019, while Old Kru Town Will battled Rivals Center Harper in the ongoing Tournament to secure a place in the tournament’s next stage at 4:00pm local time.
Speaking to www.newspublict.com in Harper, Maryland County Health Officer Dr. Methodius George said seen people together is amazing and promoting health through Sports is what he is initiating for both players and the people of the County.
He noted that the Eight Participating Communities are will be given the task of carrying the message to their various Communities in enlightening the minds of the People, especially about Preventive Measure about HIV/AIDS and others transferrable diseases.
Dr. George disclosed that Ambulance and First aid will be on the field to provide Medical first aid services for players who will be in juried while playing on the patch.
dThe Maryland County Chief Medical Officer encourage those playing in the Tournament to prove themselves for selection to justify and play for Maryland County in the upcoming National County Sports Meets, which the County will co-host and should respect the rules of the game and the match official .
The Maryland County Health Officer, Dr. Methodius George is the only one singly sponsoring the Health through Sports Tournament and the tournament is being held under the theme: HEALTH IS WEAlTH AND TOGETHER WE ARE STRONGER.
According to the Organizers Special Awards will be giving to Players who will performed at the Tournament and these awards include, Most Valuable Player, Best Midfielder, Best Goalkeeper, others are Best Defender, Higher goal Scorer ,Best Coach and Best Fan. Winner of Each of the Award will receive 2,000lrd as means of appreciating the people for their talents disclosed during Tournament; the Award Ceremony is expected to take place at the CASH ENTERTAINMENT CENTER on the Maryland Avenue on Sunday October 20 2019 at 8: 00pm local time on the same day of the final