Liberia: Rep. Williams Donates US$100, LRD$60,000 to Maryland Quizzing Team

PAYNESVILLE, Montserrado County — Maryland County District 2 Representative Anthony F. Williams has donated US$100 and LRD$60,000 to the Maryland County Quizzing Team amid growing concerns over the team’s living conditions while participating in the ongoing national academic competition.

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By Peter P. Toe, Jr., [email protected]

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Rep. Williams made the donation Sunday, September, 13 when he visited the team at its camp at the Police Academy in Paynesville, , outside Monrovia.

The intervention follows the circulation of a photograph over the weekend showing members of the Maryland Team sleeping on the floor at a local school campus in the Day Break Mouth Open Community in Barnesville.

Team officials told FrontPage Africa that some of the players had been sleeping in open classrooms at the school due to inadequate accommodation.

The images prompted concerns among Marylanders and supporters, with several individuals subsequently providing financial and other assistance to the team.

Jorenzo Nyanati, Director for Students Club and Activities at William V.S. Tubman University, earlier donated LRD$10,000 over the weekend.

The team also received LRD$8,000 and US$10, with LRD$7,000 coming from Maryland Youth Association’s President Melvin T. Weah and LRD$1,000 plus US$10 from Marylanders based in Monrovia.

Freddie Goe, Senior Operations Engineer at the Liberia Electricity Corporation(LEC) and a former Maryland County Quizzer and Coach, contributed US$35 and accommodation for the team.

During his visit, Rep. Williams, who is also a former quizzer and student leader, encouraged the students to remain focused and disciplined.

The Pleebo Sodoken District’s lawmaker shared his experience in quizzing and debate and urged the team to work together and remain confident as it represents Maryland County.

The Maryland Students Union (MaSU), an auxiliary of the Liberia National Students Union (LINSU), has expressed appreciation to Williams and the other supporters.

In a statement released Sunday, MaSU President Eastman K. Toe and County Team Head Coach Edwin Lawal described Williams’ intervention as timely support for the team.

On the competition circuit, Maryland County has recorded one victory, defeating Bong County 130–100.

Team Captain Leo Dickson was named Man of the Match following the victory. Maryland later suffered a defeat in its second game against Grand Bassa County.

The Maryland Team is expected to face Nimba County in its next game as the tournament continues.