President Weah presents honours to former coaches Wenger and LeRoy

By Daily Sports on August 25, 2018

Liberian President George Weah on Friday gave his country's top honour to Arsene Wenger and Claude LeRoy, the two French coaches who gave his football career an early boost.

At a red-carpet ceremony in the suburbs of the capital Monrovia, Wenger was praised for the "development of the youth in Africa" throughout his coaching career.

"Your positive role has not only affected the professional success and personal life journey of many African footballers, but also the entire generation of young Liberians who follow President Weah as a mentor," the ceremony's speaker said as Wenger received the distinction of Knight Grand Commander of the Humane Order of African Redemption.

Wenger signed Weah, then 22, when he was in charge of Monaco in 1988.

"You are president now, before you were my kid," Wenger said at the end of the ceremony. "I wish you a very peaceful and happy future, and make us proud," he added.

After four seasons with Monaco, Weah moved to Paris Saint-Germain and then to AC Milan in 1995 -- the year he became the only African to win the coveted Ballon d'Or for best player in European club football.

After Weah was elected president in January, he invited Wenger to his inauguration, but the Frenchman, in what turned out to be his last season as Arsenal manager, was unable to attend.

Le Roy met the young Weah while managing Cameroon's national side.

"He had signed to Tonnerre Yaounde and came to Cameroon national squad training even though he was a Liberian. I was dazzled by his talent and called Arsene," Le Roy, who is currently coaching Togo's national team, told the media.

Over the past week, debate in Liberian newspapers and radio shows has mounted over whether the award -- usually reserved for individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to Liberia -- is right.

In the streets of Monrovia, some Liberians questioned the timing of such a ceremony, as the poor West African nation grapples with runaway inflation and a host of other economic woes.

"This honouring should not have been prioritised now," said George Sackie, a 35-year-old teacher.

The government maintains, though, that both men helped Liberia through helping Weah.

"If Arsene Wenger and Le Roy had not exposed George Weah he would not have been the pride of an entire nation today," said Andy Quamie, deputy minister of youth and sports.

Among other Liberians -- including many young people who helped propel the soccer great to the presidency in January's elections -- the event is a source of pride and excitement, placing the country on the world map.

Hundreds gathered in Monrovia on Wednesday, hours before the expected arrival of the Frenchmen.

"For me the president is right to give such honour to the man who made him to be the only African to handle the world's best title," Patrick Harris, 23, told the media. (Super Sports)

Photo shows Wenger 

Source Daily Sports

Posted August 25, 2018


 

You may also like...
Next Two Games Litmus Tests For Arsenal —...

Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder In Shouting Match Ahead...

Tiger Woods: Injuries and operations mean I’ll never...

Nigeria squeak home at ICC World T20 Africa...

Neymar: Football Is Getting Boring

Onyekuru issued UK visa for transfer talks

 

Latest News Nigeria beat Cameroon to reach IHF final 27 schools for Doregos Basketball Championship Super Falcons to play France’s Les Bleues in friendly SWAN suspends ban on coverage of Anambra FA activities Joshua among boxing’s top three earners in 2024 Oshoala makes history with Bay FC Nnamani hails team over IHF bright start Flamingos lift U-17 W’Cup Fair Play Trophy Rangers Intl, SWAN partner on sports collaboration in SE LAGOS SWAN CELEBRATES AIG ZONE 2 ON HIS BIRTHDAY AND 30 DAYS IN OFFICE Traders Cup: Upholstery Soccer Team Secured 2nd Win To Advance To Round Two Lagos SWAN Celebrates Oba Akiolu, Iyaloja General, AIG Fayoade

 

Most Read Rangers International going, going . . . (55,141 views) Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (46,269 views) Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (44,350 views) Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (43,991 views) Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (43,931 views) Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (43,879 views) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (43,718 views) NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (43,288 views) Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (42,332 views) Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (41,035 views) Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (39,489 views) John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (38,916 views)

 

Phone numbers

Tel: +234(0)8066020976
+234(0)8055068145
+234(0)7013416146
+234(0)8094272884

Email addresses

info@dailysportsng.com
support@dailysportsng.com
publisher@dailysportsng.com

Office address

No 3, Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja Lagos.
Website: www.dailysportsng.com

Social Media