Africa-Press – Liberia. Investigation conducted by FrontPageAfrica has uncovered that former Liberian international and national team coach James Debbah was not stopped from entering the Samuel K. Doe Sports Complex by Deputy Police Inspector General for Operations Marvin Sarkor.
The former Lone Star coach posted on his Facebook page Col. Sarkor denied him entry into the stadium during the National County Sports Meet quarter-final matches on Saturday, January 7, 2023.
While the Liberian football legend was making his way to the stadium, he experienced an unusual incident where security at the gate stopped him.
“This is unprecedented because I have never experienced this sort of scrutiny before.
“I was stopped from entering the stadium by the head of the security (LNP -102 Sackor) planted at the entrance of the stadium in the presence of my former players, Tommy Sango, Kpah Sherman and Sam Johnson.
“I decided to be passive and not to create a ruckus because I had my companion with me.
But let be clear on this, the next time this BULLSHIT occurs, WE WILL HAVE A PROBLEM!
“I did my inquiry Minister Zoegar Wilson had nothing to do with this, I know where the instruction came from,”.
Mr. big .big, take this as a warning, the next time this NONSENSE happens” I will be my own security.”
“I am not only a former player/Coach of the National(Lone Star)but a major stakeholder do you have any idea how much money I have contributed in my capacity for the development of football in this country???”
“The next time anyone tries to impede my entrance to the stadium they will experience the Bassa in me,” he posted on his social media page.
But when contacted Marvin Sarkor clarify that at no time he interacted with the Liberian football legend.
“Most interestingly I wasn’t even on the field Saturday and Sunday I wasn’t on that field so how is it possible to he made contact with me,”
“I was surprised today he called on three radio stations that it was mistaken identity it was the wrong person, he called me a few hours ago to apologize that it was a mistake,” Mr. Sarkor said.
He said as deputy director of police he will not stand at gate but even if such happens he will not engage the star in such a manner.
Meanwhile, deputy youth and Sports Minister G. Andy Quamie said when he learned about the situation he presented ticket to Debbah.
Minister Quamie told FrontPageAfrica “I did not that something had happened to Debbah when he call me that he was at the gate and that the police and AFL was giving him some problem entering the Stadium I ask him do you have a ticket he said no so I said how do you intend entering the stadium he said he is a former national team player.
“I told him that if you want to come to the stadium is easy just call normally we give ticket to Washington Blay for all the former national team players though it may not be enough but I send him VVIP ticket by my special Assistant and he call be back to say he received it that’s all I know about it, Minister Quamie said.
Another source said Debbah took along with him someone who also didn’t have ticket and it was the ticket the minister sent Debbah that he used for the person he took along with him to enter the stadium because he wasn’t personally stopped as being alleged but rather he was told he couldn’t go along with the person who never had ticket.
It can be recalled that than Montserrado County senator George Weah was once barred from taking at least over 10 persons to a national tram game on the Antoinette Tubman Stadium and the Senator was made to purchased tickets for all of those that accompanied him with the exception of one security guard.
Liberian Journalist Moses Garzeawu who was presence of the interaction with Debbah and security wrote:
What I saw…
Debbah had walk to the VIP entrance with three people accompanying him without a ticket or access passed. Moses Gaypia the MYS staff at the entrance couldn’t allow him and his delegation. I thought to intervene but couldn’t do much.
Later, Deputy Minister Andy Quamie came upon a call to remedy the situation. He went into his office and brought a VIP ticket for Debbah for his entry.
Where things felt apart….
Debbah handed the ticket to one of the three people accompanying him and still wanted to enter. This time the Joint security at the entrance took seize of the matter and prevented him from entering without the ticket.
Regrettably this should not happen but again there were lot of options available for the Liberian legend before and during this incident.
The Ministry of Youth and Sport provided complimentary VIP tickets for the former National team player which leadership is headed by former defender Washington Blaye. Debbah is part of that organization and was entitled one. I have not ascertain if he received his.
Secondly he would have simply purchase a ticket for those following him because all the sets at the VIP are number per the tickets being sold. Obviously they wouldn’t be taking up other people spaces.
I personally harbour nothing against the celebrated star but we must be professional at all times to avoid embarrassment.
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