By the time the 2021/2022 Edition of the National County Sports Meet is over in January, 2022, the 27th event would have been recorded as a memorable one.
This will be so, because several strange events will have characterized the tournament.
Besides, three of the hosts losing on the opening day and Nimba County failing to win for the first time in both opening, Kickball and football fixtures, the tournament will be remembered for featuring the eldest son of the Sitting President of Liberia, also Chief Patron of Sports, President George Weah; Champ Weah.
The 34-year-old set the record when he fielded for Grand Kru County against Bong County in Group B second fixture in the 2021/2022 National County Sports Meet on Sunday, December 12, 2021, at the Sanniquelie stadium in Nimba County.
Hearing that the son of Africa’s only Ballon d’or Winner and now President of Liberia was playing in the County Sports Meet brought much joy to the hundreds of fans at the stadium, as many expressing excitement seeing the President’s son play in the County Meet, which his father did not feature in during his own playing days.
He may not have had an influence in the match, but his presence created fear for the Bong County defense in the early minutes of the match, but those fears died off later.
Champ’s movement on and off the ball was something many at the stadium wanted to see, but his 64 minutes time in the match did not help Grand Kru County, as they lost 1-0 to Bong County.
Many pundits said he could not produce anything better in the match, because he was not acquainted with his team mates and style of play, and also not use to playing on a hard ground.
Champ Weah, who had stints with top European Club’s academies, also played most part of the 64 minutes with pains in his leg.
He set up a team-mate with a beautiful cross on his 4th torch of the ball in the dying minutes of the 1st half, but that chance was wasted.
He was moved from the right flank to central forward position in the second half by Coach Mathew Julutweh, but the pain in his leg may have limited him further.
The intensity of the game in the second half seems to have added the burden on the 34-year-old, who had to be replaced after series of medical attention.
He seemed to be pleased with the time given him to play, though he got upset with Bong County late win.
Champ Weah, however, was not totally upset as he was heard encouraging his fellows to make a comeback, when they face a wasteful Nimba County on Wednesday, December 15, 2021, in a match dubbed the repeat of 2019/2020 final.
By: Kolubah Zayzay
