Dear Sir
Re: Article “Gladiators Harassed by Congolese”
We have read with great interest your article “Gladiators Harassed by Congolese”, published on Tuesday 14th March 2007, in your newspaper vol 12, no 151, page 20.
In connection with this title and its content we have received the statement from Mr Tshiyoka, Secretary General of the Congolese Football Association (FECOFA), that we request you to publish according to the laws and ethics that govern journalism.
1. The allegation that the Gladiators played against 11 Congolese players plus the 4 officials: It does not make sense at all. No official can be lined up as player in any circumstances, even in the jungle, since FIF A and AFC laws exist and are to be fully respected. Otherwise by so behaving, what are the officials designated for?
2. ‘Stella Williams was badly intimidated by Congolese media’: This young lady is a star among the Gladiators. She could have been approached by the media, before the match, because of their admiration for her talent as a good player in the Namibian squad. Is that strange or inhuman to see the media questioning or picturing a star? Is it that what you call intimidation or harassment from the Congolese press? To be taken as having impacted on the match score?
3. The so-called three goals disallowed: The attendance that very day had witnessed 2 goals and no more from the Gladiators. Therefore, any other abnormal fact was to be reported through the match report, jointly signed, after the game by officials from both teams with officials from the African Football Confederation. If officials signed the after-match report it was not blindly, not by force, that means nothing was wrong.
4. ‘Gladiators were not provided with an interpreter’: Everything was taken care of in its least details. Two interpreters were provided: one to the African Football Confederation officials and the second, Mr Masonga, to the visiting team. We all recognize their presence at the pre-match meeting; even though we do not think the Gladiators needed an interpreter to see goals or not to refrain shooting wide.
5. A few times before the kick off, a senior officer from the sports ministry, M. Kabulo, paid a courtesy call on the visiting team at their hotel to make sure it was comfortable. Players were swimming, singing, dancing and enjoying their stay in Kinshasha, in a good and friendly spirit.
6. Even the match went with no clash.
It is unfortunate to notice that unfair and wrong reports, which attempt to tarnish the image of Congolese sports, historically well reputed by their traditional fair play, are published by official press. We deplore such attitudes which throw darkness and doubt between the youth of the two sister countries.
Cultural Section
Shaku Yumi Michel
Second Counsellor