By: Julius Konton
Liberia has taken a decisive step toward modernizing its sports ecosystem after high-level talks in Paris between the Liberian diplomatic mission and France’s premier high-performance sports institution, the National Institute of Sport, Expertise and Performance (INSEP).
On 16 February 2026, Ambassador Yorlay, accompanied by members of his delegation, met with Fabien Canu, Director General of INSEP, at the institute’s headquarters in Paris.
The discussions centered on expanding structured sports cooperation between the Republic of Liberia and the French Republic, with a strong emphasis on youth development, elite athlete training, and institutional capacity building.
A Strategic Pivot Toward High-Performance Sports
INSEP stands at the heart of France’s sporting success.
Established in 1945, the institute has played a pivotal role in producing Olympic and world-class athletes across more than 20 disciplines.
Ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, over 80 percent of France’s Olympic medalists trained or received support through INSEP’s ecosystem underscoring its reputation as one of the world’s most advanced sports performance centers.
Against this backdrop, the Liberian delegation outlined its interest in tapping into French technical expertise to strengthen Liberia’s emerging sports structures.
Particular focus was placed on collaboration through Liberia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports, as well as partnerships with INSEP and other leading French sports and training institutions.
Mr. Canu welcomed the initiative, reaffirming INSEP’s longstanding commitment to international cooperation, especially with African nations seeking to modernize their national sports systems.
France currently maintains sports development partnerships with more than 30 countries worldwide, combining athlete training, coach education, sports medicine, and governance support.
Laying the Groundwork for Long-Term Cooperation
During the meeting, Bâbak Amir-Tahmasseb Oly, Director of International Relations and Coordinator of the Grand INSEP Network, invited the Liberian Embassy to submit Liberia’s national sports development strategy for technical review.
This, he explained, would allow INSEP to identify concrete, sustainable areas of cooperation ranging from elite athlete preparation and coaching certification to sports administration and performance analytics.
Mr. Oly also delivered a detailed presentation on INSEP’s institutional structure, training models, and administrative systems, offering the Liberian delegation insight into how high-performance sports programs are managed, financed, and evaluated in France.
Such frameworks, experts note, are increasingly vital as countries compete not only for medals but also for youth engagement, employment creation, and national branding through sports.
Ministerial Visit Slated for April 2026
In a move signaling strong political backing, Ambassador Yorlay proposed an official visit to France by Cornelia Wonkerleh Kruah, Liberia’s Minister of Youth and Sports, alongside senior sports administrators.
The proposal was positively received, with a tentative schedule set for April 2026, subject to final arrangements.
The planned visit is expected to include high-level engagements with France’s Ministry of Sports, INSEP, and other major sports and youth development institutions, as well as technical and vocational training centers.
These engagements aim to translate diplomatic dialogue into actionable programs that can strengthen Liberia’s sports infrastructure and youth empowerment agenda.
Mr. Canu confirmed INSEP’s readiness to work closely with the Liberian Embassy to ensure the success of the ministerial visit and to help shape a partnership roadmap aligned with Liberia’s national priorities.
Sports as a Tool for Youth Empowerment and Development
Liberia, where more than 60 percent of the population is under the age of 25, views sports as a critical lever for youth empowerment, social cohesion, and international engagement.
While the country has produced notable talents particularly in football limited infrastructure and technical capacity have constrained broader development across disciplines.
Analysts say that a structured partnership with France could help Liberia leapfrog key challenges by accessing modern training methodologies, sports science, and governance models.
Globally, the sports industry contributes over US$500 billion annually to the world economy, and countries that invest strategically in sports development increasingly reap dividends in employment, tourism, and national visibility.
Strengthening Bilateral Ties Beyond the Playing Field
The Paris meeting underscores a growing dimension of Liberia–France relations, where sports diplomacy complements traditional political and economic engagement.
By anchoring cooperation in youth development and institutional capacity building, both sides signaled a shared belief that sports can serve as a powerful catalyst for sustainable development.
As preparations begin for the anticipated April 2026 ministerial visit, expectations are rising that this engagement could mark the beginning of a long-term partnership, one that not only nurtures Liberian athletes but also strengthens the country’s broader youth and development agenda through the universal language of sport.
