CELLCOM Rekindles Hope in Lone Star

8 June 2011

Liberians across the nation and beyond have regained their pride, joy, and excitement, following Lone Star’s 1-0 win over the national soccer team of Cape Verde on Sunday at the Samuel K. Doe Sports Complex in Paynesville.

Observers credit the national team’s victory and the return of the pride of the Liberian people, amongst other things, to the support the team had and continues to receive from the nation’s foremost GSM provider, CELLCOM.

The victory over Cape Verde in the 2012 African Nations Cup Qualifier is the first home victory since Liberia’s most reliable GSM provider, CELLCOM, took over the sponsorship of Liberia football, including the national soccer team of Liberia, the Lone Star.

The Liberia-Cape Verde match pulled over 25,000 Liberians, as well as foreign nationals, nearly all of whom donned the national colors and cheered the Lone Star to victory.

The huge turnout of Liberians and foreign nationals at the stadium Sunday was the first of its kind for many years since the disappearance of Liberia’s professional players – George Weah, James Debah, Kelvin Sogbwe, Chris Wleh, and Boye Charles among others.

Sunday’s match brought together government officials, businesspersons, politicians, religious leaders, and youths.

The CEO of Liberian football’s proud sponsor, CELLCOM, Avishai Marziamno, and Liberia Football Association (LFA) President, Musa Bility, backed by thousands of football fans, were among those who could not hide their smiles as Liberia got her early goal in the 35th minute. The striker Francis Grandpa Doe hat trick goal put Liberia conformably in the lead, eventually placing her in the fourth place with four points.

The full ninety minutes of classic football ended with Liberians and foreign friends lining up along every street corner in Monrovia and singing songs of praise to CELLCOM for its support to Lone Star, which redeemed the lost spirit of Liberia and Liberians.

As spectators left the field after Liberia’s thrashing of Cape Verde, they were heard chanting support for the national team and singing praises to CELLCOM for its support and mobilization.

The celebration of Lone Star’s victory continued in grand style on Monday at CELLCOM head office in Monrovia with the management hosting a victory dinner in honor of the Liberia national team. The occasion brought together the authorities of LFA, fans, and CELLCOM management representatives.

Addressing players of the national team, CELLCOM CEO Avishai Marziamno encouraged the players to see their respective responsibilities on the national team as a full duty to serve the Liberian nation at the highest level.

Mr. Marziamno concluded by presenting 25 cell phone sets to the players as gifts from management for the victory over Cape Verde in the African Nations Cup qualifier on Sunday.     The CELLCOM boss, on behalf of the company, assured the players and Liberians in general of CELLCOM’s commitment to raising the flag of Liberia through its sponsorship of Lone Star as well as Liberia football from every dimension.

Speaking at the event, LFA President Musa Bility praised CELLCOM management for the numerous contributions the company has made to Lone Star and Liberian football development.

He noted that CELLCOM’s sponsorship to the Liberian national team has made it possible for the team to win its first victory on Sunday.

The management of CELLCOM, Bility said, was a true partner of Lone Star and Liberia as demonstrated from the company’s desire to invest in the promotion of Lone Star rather than shipping its profits overseas.

Also speaking, LFA former president Edwin M. Snowe hailed CELLCOM and called on the company to continue it goodwill in order to keep Liberians in a state of happiness, since Liberians see the Lone Star as the only medium for peace and reconciliation.

AllAfrica – All the Time