By Roland Mulbah, sportspromoter@gmail.com
The President of the Liberia Football Association, Musa Hassan Bility, has sent a message of condolence to the President and members of the Football Association of Malawi for the tragic loss of eight people in a stampede at the Malawian National Stadium.
In his message to the President of the Football Association of Malawi, Walter Nyamilandu and the Government and People of Malawi, Mr. Bility expressed deep sympathy and regrets over the death of football fans, who had gone to “take part in the beautiful game”.
The Liberian LFA President in his own name and on behalf of member clubs, executives and affiliates, prayed for God’s divine guidance and solace as the people of Malawi mourn the loss of the deceased football fans.
The stampede occurred when spectators forcibly opened the gates at the National Stadium where a football match was due to take place during celebrations marking 53 years of Malawi’s independence from British rule on Thursday, July 6, 2017. At least 40 others were injured.
“It is very saddening that such incident occurred when people were gathered to celebrate and it sends spines down the soul of those of us in the football world when such massive loss occurred as a result of people wanting to show their passion for a wonderful sport that binds all races together,” Bility said.
The LFA President also prays that those injured can gain speedy recovery.