MONROVIA — Despite defeating Bong County 130 points to 100, a 30-point margin, in their first encounter at the ongoing National Quizzing Tournament, Maryland’s quizzing team is battling difficult living conditions, with some players sleeping on the bare floor due to a shortage of mattresses.
A photo shows members of the Maryland team sleeping on the floor, currently staying on a local school campus in Barnesville’s Day Break Mouth Open Community, where team officials say players are sleeping in open classrooms, highlighting the difficult conditions they are facing while representing the county in the national competition.
Despite the difficult conditions off the competition floor, Maryland delivered a strong performance against Bong County, securing a 130–100 victory.
Team Captain Leo Dickson was also named Man of the Match following Maryland’s victory.
In a video podcast Thursday after the game, Maryland Students Union (MaSU) President Eastman K. Toe appealed for urgent support for the team.
“It was on yesterday that we received the sum of L$8,000 plus US$10, which was L$7,000 from MYA President Melvin T. Weah and L$1,000 plus US$10 from Marylanders based in Monrovia,” Toe said.
He added: “Finance to cover transport and feedings. For the sake of security, we need unique accommodation and finance to help give little compensation to the players for encouragement.”
Toe said the team continues to face challenges with transportation, food and accommodation.
He said the team had planned to reach out to Maryland lawmakers for assistance but realized that many of the county’s lawmakers were not present in Monrovia.
Despite the challenges, Captain Leo Dickson said the players remain grateful for their achievement and determined to continue representing Maryland.
“We are grateful that we got this achievement. Through the challenges, we remained focused, and this is why we have come this far. But we deeply need our people to come through for us,” Dickson said.
The team’s Assistant Coach also acknowledged the difficulties facing the players but said their focus remains on succeeding for Maryland.
“We have been through the struggle. We have been through a lot of challenges since we arrived here. But we have Maryland as our focus to succeed,” the Assistant Coach said.
“But as players, this is not easy for us,” the Assistant coach added.
Technical staff member Samuel H. Griffiths Jr. said the team is particularly struggling with mobility and food.
Griffiths said the team’s sleeping arrangements are unsuitable because members are staying in open classrooms.
He said the team has largely survived on support from MaSU leadership and assistance from the Ministry of Youth Affairs, while contributions from other supporters have remained limited.
“The team need serious resources for mobility and food,” Griffiths said.
He added that the Maryland team is expected to be at the quizzing hall today to watch matches involving other counties.
Head Coach Edwin Lawal also appealed to Marylanders and other well-wishers to support the team as the competition continues.
“Your one cent means a lot for us. While encouraging our players, your support as a county is the most right now,” Lawal said.
Maryland is competing in Group C, alongside Grand Bassa, Bong and Nimba counties.
The team is now appealing to Maryland lawmakers, county authorities, businesses, Marylanders at home and abroad, and other well-wishers for assistance with food, transportation, suitable accommodation and financial support for the players as they continue their quest for national glory.
The team is led by MaSU president Eastman K. Toe, Head Coach Edwin Lawal, Captain Leo Dickson, amongst other.
Phone numbers:
MaSU President Eastman K. Toe: 0887558129
Head Coach Edwin Lawal: 0880855529
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