By Jerome C. Willie, Jr., boyzwill26@gmail.com
It was a beautiful scene over the weekend at the Barnesville Estate Sports Pitch outside Monrovia, with exciting football displayed from players of the respective teams in the grand final of the 1st edition of the mini-Mock National County Sports Meet.
The tournament was under the auspices of the Ben Wein Youth And Athletic Club (BY-SAC) with sponsorship from the Offices of District 11, Rep. Richard N. Koon of Montserrado County.
The joy and euphoria of the events saw thousands of spectators at the jammed packed sports pitch to see the climax of the first edition of such month longed tournament which officially kickoff on 13 of May with 15 counties fighting for the championship in both the kickball and football categories.
In the kickball version Rivercess County ends Grand Cape Mounty unbeaten record by thrashing Grand Cape Mount County 9 home runs to 4 .
Rivercess County show case players like Tete Wise, Josephine Logan, Korto Boye, Jestina Togbah among others.
It was Grand Cape Mount County first defeat in the tournament.
And in the football version in game one Christ United Football Academy (CUFA) came from a goal down to defeat Dream Football Academy 2-1 in an exhibition match before the grandfinal that saw both teams using players like Osacar Williams, Roland Jellue, Jesse Francis, goalkeeper Marvin Sumo among others for Nimba County; while James Richardson, Rufus Padmore, Prince Bono, William Freeman, Morris Vombo ,George Wreh, Francisco Pajibo, Brandon Debah,James Sullie featured for Lofa County.
Both teams played good football but Nimba County won possession with good coordination from the midfield with good defending to contain the well experienced strike force of Lofa County with both team playing to a goalless draw from excellent goalkeeping from both goal-keeper.
As the second half resume Lofa County took controlled of the second half with Rufus Padmore along with Francisco Pajibo coordinates the midfield but couldn’t help the team to get on the score sheet but is was with Oscar Williams sensational goal in the 75th minute separated the two teams with Nimba County pinning Lofa County 1-0 to win to championship for the first time .
Nimba County booked her ticket to the grandfinal after winning 3-2 during penalty shootouts with Gbarpolu County after a 2-out draw while Nimba County defeated Grand Kru County 2-1 to grab a ticket for the final.
Rivercess County pockets LD$30,000.00 as winner along with medals while Nimba County walked away LD$40,000.00 along with medals.
In an exclusive interview with journalists the Chief Patron of the tournament Rep.Richard N. Koon thanked all of the participating teams for a job well done.
” I am very impressed with the job done by BYSAC and moreover the turn-up but as I rightly said this year it is the first but I hope next year it will be far better than this year ” said Rep. Koon.
In another development, Oscar Williams won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the football version while won the Most Valuable Player in the kickball version.
BYSAC is based in Barnesville Estate in the Bewin Community where the organization had over 50 members.
It can be recalled that this non-profit organization called BYSAC hosted last edition of the 2020-2021 UEFA Champions League in Barnesville Estate where AC Milan won the tournament.
Giving overview of the tournament Prince Chea, Chairperson said the monetary value is over US$2,500.00.
Chea said that each county received a set of jersey printed that worth US$ 100.00 each with all 15 Counties receiving such.
As for the cash prizes Chea said the amount of LD$120,000.00 was smashed out to winners and runner-up in both kickball and football.
Below are the names of all other award winners:
Kickball:
Josephine Logan( Rivercess )- Best Pitcher
Charles Logan ( Grand Cape Mount)- Best Coach
Football
Morris Vambo (Lofa) – Highest Goal Scorer
Dixon Nagbe ( Nimba) – Best Coach