Sports
SWAL Assistant SG Opens Up
- Details
- Published on Tuesday, 30 October 2012 10:45
- Written by The News
...Says “Let The Truth Be Told”
The Assistant Secretary General of the Sports Writers Association of Liberia, SWAL, Anthony Stephens has called on the President of the Association not to “sweep under the carpet” the truth surrounding the “release saga” currently rocking the institution as a result of the Lone Star defeat to Nigeria 1-6.
Mr. Stephens said he’s disappointed that the President of the association, Fombah Kanneh would issue a statement indicating that he takes responsibility for the situation and that the matter has been ‘resolved’ without acknowledging SWAL’s position on Liberia’s 1-6 defeat to Nigeria in Calabar.
Stephens told his colleagues that the matter cannot be resolved when the truth has not been told following the 1-6 defeat.
“I am surprised that Mr. Kanneh sounds as if he’s not aware of what is going on. How could the matter be resolved when the truth has not been told?” Stephens wondered.
The SWAL Assistant Secretary General then went on to give the actual account of the entire Lone Star saga.
He said contrary to widespread and imaginative reports by the Secretary General of the Association, Roland Mulbah that he (Stephens) unilaterally issued a release on Wednesday, October 17, 2012 on the “Calabar tragedy”, the release under his signature was sanctioned by Mr. Fombah Kanneh.
The critical-minded sports analyst, in a strongly worded statement released in Monrovia last Thursday, said the statement emanated from a Tuesday, October 16, 2012 leadership meeting presided over by Mr. Kanneh and attended by the Treasurer and him (Mr. Stephens).
According to Mr. Stephens, the release was reviewed and approved by the president Mr. Kanneh, sent for viewing to the e-mail boxes of the Vice President and Secretary General, both of whom were absent before it was circulated to the public.
He said the vice president sent a text of excuse to the president that she was at a workshop, while the Secretary General couldn’t be reached via mobile phone as it was perpetually switched off.
“It beats my imagination that the SG Roland Mulbah and the likes of Abraham Wheon and Danesius Marteh and others to claim that I issued a unilateral release”, Mr. Stephens said.
“I’ve never been and will never be involved in any shady deal. Let them check the facts before reporting as their reportage are not far from “unprofessional and imaginative journalism”.
The SWAL Assistant Secretary General called on his president to stand for the cause he’s noted for or be judged by posterity.
“Where is the Fombah Kanneh who stood for the disenchanted members of SWAL a fortnight ago when things were going haywire between SWAL and the LFA”?, Mr. Stephens asked, saying he feels betrayed by what is taking place in their beloved organization (SWAL).
He also wants Mr. Kanneh to give SWAL’s position on the Calabar disaster since he did not indicate it in his Wednesday, October 24 press statement as the subject at hand is very crucial for the nation.
Mr. Stephens however indicated that he harbors no Hatred towards any official or member of SWAL, but feels compelled to tell the truth in order to protect his reputation and that of the organization.
Commenting on reports of his conspicuous silence on the entire episode, Mr. Stephens said his decision to remain mute on the sensitive matter for a little over a week was to give way to a mediatory team which included the likes of Malcolm Joseph, Zoegar Jaynes, Hilary Colnoe, Horatio Willie and Momolu V.O. Sirleaf.
Stephens said he was disappointed, particularly at statements by some members of the team and the rest of his colleagues in leadership including the president, Vice President and Treasurer during a reconciliatory meeting on Monday, October 22, 2012 that he should serve as the “sacrificial lamb” in the name of protecting the image of the organization and reconciliation (records are available to prove).
He said at that meeting, those present even apologized to him after going into the merits of the case.
Reacting to the Wednesday, October 24, 2012 edition of the PageAfrica News Paper story authored by Danesius Marteh, in which, Marteh referred to his decision to as “foolish”, Mr. Stephens asked: “Who is foolish in this case? A judgmental reporter who did not properly check his facts before reporting or I”?
He clarified that there was not and has not been any rift between him and Mr. Mulbah or any other member of the leadership, but he has decided to speak on the matter to set the record straight and save his hard-earned reputation.
