By: Julius Konton
In a wake of heavy criticism relative to the alleged failure to improve Sports under the leadership of former President George Weah, a former President with solid background in Sports, an investigation has uncovered that the previous government did complete a comprehensive national sports development policy which served as a key tool and foundation towards the development of Sports in Liberia.
The Investigation conducted by our reporter also disclosed that former Youth and Sports Minister D. Zeogar Wilson during a UNESCO conference in France requested funding to support the national sports policy and said request was accepted and subsequently led to the securing of such fund through UNESCO who hired a Liberian expert, Victor Boyah who professional drafted the policy in 2022.
Boyah as part of his work according to our investigation held consultative and stakeholders meetings and eventually completed the policy.
“I did my work, I was paid and i turned the documents over to the Ministry of Youth and Sports and I am and will be ready and willing as a Liberian at anytime to help my Country in said regard”, Mr. Boyah added.
The investigation also established that the previous government requested a consultant from the French government on Youth and TVET and that request was approved.
The investigation also established that said Consultant is currently with the Ministry.
The National sports policy document copy of which is on our possession was developed to among other things, establish a clear and convenient structure to provide and increase the delivery of sports opportunities in Liberia through a systematic participative and coordinated approach at every level through government, educational institutes, associations, private sector, and local governing bodies to make sure of maximum return.
Consistent with national and international trends, Liberia’s Sports Policy shall on one hand promote total participation of all segments of the society in sports including men, women, youth, children, senior citizens, and specially challenged persons’ despite of their religion, race, color, gender, education, and ethnicity are strongly encouraged to be involved actively and healthily of life.
On the other hand, the comprehensive work also highlighted the promotion of competitive sports (sports played at the international level) is organized by recognized international rules, regulations, and circumstances.
“Adhering to the growing modernization and use of technology in sports, Liberia’s sports policy must give special focus to this very area in almost all games played”, the crafted emphasized.
The policy document also envisioned to build up a vigorous, well-disciplined unified, and dynamic society through better and active participation in sports.
The Government of Liberia distinctly promotes the development of sports as a priority, that has the potential to galvanize the country’s youthful population to be engaged and productive, which would favorably impact the socio-economic development of Liberia.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports believes that the holistic “Development of Sports” and “Sports for Development” are essential to national development.
This policy, therefore, outlines the MOYS’s thrust towards strengthening the sports framework of Liberia, through collaborations with key stakeholders and the inclusion of historically disenfranchised groups and individuals irrespective of race, class, ethnicity, gender, or any other applied stigmas”.
The documents also highlighted the establishment of clear pathways towards holistic sports development and sporting achievements, which lead to the evolution and growth of our nation and its citizens.
Even though the documents were never adopted by the former cabinet, the rich policy which was part of a turn over note presented to the current Minister Cllr. J. Cole Bangalu also serves as a great achievement and good instrument to be used by the current government in a drive to effectively improve sports development across the Country.
At the same time, Our investigation also established that the current Minister, Cllr. Cole Bangalu in addition to a turn over note was further briefed about the policy by former Minister D. Zeogar Wilson.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Youth and Sports following received of the policy on Tuesday, September 16, 2025 began discussions on the key documents with the hope of its implementation after presentation to the cabinet and final endorsement later on.
