By : Julius Konton
The National Port Authority has officially launched its 2026 Intra-Ministerial Tournament, bringing together more than 20 government ministries and agencies in what officials describe as a major initiative aimed at promoting national unity, employee wellness, institutional collaboration, and youth empowerment through sports.
The launch ceremony, held at the headquarters of the National Port Authority in Monrovia, was presided over by the institution’s Managing Director, Sekou Hussein Dukuly, who formally received the football, kickball, and basketball teams that will represent the NPA during the nationwide competition.
The tournament, which is being organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, has officially kicked off at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex, Liberia’s largest sporting facility.
Speaking during the launch, Managing Director Dukuly described sports as one of the world’s most powerful instruments for social cohesion, peacebuilding, and personal development.
He emphasized that athletics not only improve physical health but also contribute significantly to mental well-being and workplace productivity.
“Sports serve as a unifying force across the world,” Dukuly declared. “They help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression by releasing endorphins that promote positive moods and emotional stability.”
The NPA boss further noted that sports help build self-esteem, resilience, confidence, and discipline while fostering determination, perseverance, teamwork, and fair play among participants.
According to the World Health Organization, regular participation in physical activity can reduce the risk of depression by as much as 30 percent while improving cardiovascular health, mental performance, and overall quality of life. Globally, sports-related industries also contribute billions of dollars annually to national economies through employment, tourism, media rights, and infrastructure development.
Liberia, a country with a youthful population where more than 60 percent of citizens are under the age of 25, has increasingly relied on sports and recreational activities as tools for youth engagement, peacebuilding, and national reconciliation following years of civil conflict that ended in 2003.
Earlier in the program, the Deputy Managing Director for Administration of the NPA, James R. Bernard, officially presented the teams to the Managing Director and underscored the broader social significance of sports within public institutions.
Bernard stressed that sporting activities create opportunities for interaction among people from diverse ethnic, social, and professional backgrounds, thereby strengthening institutional harmony and national identity.
“Sports unite people across cultures and backgrounds, fostering social cohesion and national pride,” Bernard said. “This spirit of unity and teamwork must continue to be upheld at the National Port Authority.”
For his part, Chairman of the 2026 Intra-Ministerial Tournament and Executive Director for Logistics at the NPA, Lansana P. Fofana, praised the leadership of Managing Director Dukuly and the NPA management team for their continued investment in staff development and recreational programs.
Fofana noted that sports extend far beyond physical exercise and entertainment, describing them as essential foundations for healthy communities, leadership development, social integration, and economic growth.
“The importance of sports goes beyond physical activity,” he said. “Sports shape resilient individuals, strengthen communities, and contribute to national development.”
The launch ceremony attracted senior management officials, executive directors, athletes, and staff members of the NPA, reflecting growing enthusiasm surrounding the annual competition.
The Intra-Ministerial Tournament has evolved into one of Liberia’s notable public-sector sporting events, helping to encourage inter-agency collaboration while nurturing local athletic talent.
Analysts say such initiatives also contribute to government efforts aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles, reducing workplace stress, and strengthening institutional morale.
The upcoming competition is expected to draw hundreds of athletes and supporters to the SKD Sports Complex in Paynesville, with football, kickball, and basketball contests scheduled throughout the tournament period.
Sports remain deeply influential in Liberia, particularly football, which continues to command widespread national support.
Liberia remains internationally recognized as the home country of George Weah, the only African player to have won the prestigious Ballon d’Or award, highlighting the nation’s enduring sporting legacy and passion for athletics.
